Franklin, NE Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Franklin, Franklin County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Franklin?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 51 days in the Franklin forecast zone and Franklin County — the most common reported hazard around Franklin, mostly in June and July. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (49 days) and high winds (30 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 51 | May 2025 | Jun 18, 2011 · $21 million damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 49 | Dec 2023 | Dec 10, 2007 · $100,000 damage |
| High winds | 30 | Mar 2026 | Dec 25, 2016 · $1.0 million damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 12 | Feb 2025 | Jun 5, 1998 · $5,000 damage |
| Blizzards | 11 | Mar 2025 | Nov 27, 2005 · $250,000 damage |
| Ice storms & sleet | 5 | Jan 2017 | Dec 29, 2006 · $3.0 million damage |
| Flash flooding | 5 | Jul 2019 | Jul 4, 2000 · $1.1 million damage |
| Flooding | 4 | May 2019 | Jul 4, 2000 · $2.0 million damage |
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, 1996–2026 (the latest year is partial). A "day" is a date with at least one report in the Franklin forecast zone and Franklin County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Franklin get?
A normal year brings about 19 inches of snow to Franklin, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Franklin #2 weather station in town. The snowiest month is usually February (6.0 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.0 | 1.6 | 2.8 | 4.2 | 6.0 | 2.3 | 1.0 | 0.0 |
Normal snowfall in inches. TALON Pro compares this season's snow at your location with these normals as winter goes on.
Which radars cover Franklin?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KUEX (Hastings, NE), about 31 miles east-northeast. Radar beams climb as they travel, so the height of the lowest scan over town decides how low in a storm the radar can see.
| Radar | Distance | Lowest beam over Franklin | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KUEX Hastings, NE | 31 mi east-northeast | 1,900 ft | Excellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground |
| KLNX North Platte, NE | 154 mi north-northwest | 19,000 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KGLD Goodland, KS | 155 mi west-southwest | 19,100 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
Beam height is the center of the 0.5° scan above the radar, with standard refraction. Mountains near a radar can block it further.
Tornado & hail history near Franklin
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 112 tornadoes within 25 miles of Franklin, 15 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in May and June. The strongest was an F4 on March 13, 1990, which passed about 23 miles east of town. The most recent was a tornado of unknown strength on July 1, 2024, which touched down about 24 miles north-northwest of town.
Hail: 459 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 67 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.50-inch hail on May 31, 1980.
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center — tornadoes 1950–2025, hail 1955–2025. Distances are to each tornado's track; ratings before February 2007 use the original Fujita scale.
On TALON you get Franklin's live radar loop, rain/snow/ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks with arrival times and NWS warnings free; close-up radar and rotation detection are part of TALON Pro.
Franklin radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Franklin, NE?
KUEX (Hastings, NE), about 31 miles east-northeast. KLNX (North Platte, NE) is 154 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Franklin?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Franklin the lowest scan from KUEX is about 1,900 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Franklin free?
Yes — the US radar loop, rain/snow/ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and NWS warnings are free in any browser. Close-up radar, rotation detection and longer forecasts are part of TALON Pro.
Should I rely on radar for my safety?
No app replaces official warnings. When the National Weather Service issues a warning for Franklin, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Alma, NE radar 22 mi
- Minden, NE radar 28 mi
- Holdrege, NE radar 33 mi
- Kearney, NE radar 42 mi
- Gibbon, NE radar 45 mi
- Hastings, NE radar 45 mi
- Superior, NE radar 47 mi
- Shelton, NE radar 49 mi
- Wood River, NE radar 53 mi