Howells, NE Live Doppler Radar

Live radar for Howells, Colfax County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.

Open live radar for HowellsWhat TALON shows

What weather hits Howells?

Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged heavy snow or a winter storm on 50 days in the Colfax forecast zone and Colfax County — the most common reported hazard around Howells, mostly in January and February. Next come extreme cold & wind chill (48 days) and damaging thunderstorm winds (47 days).

HazardDays reportedMost recentWorst on record
Heavy snow & winter storms50Jan 2024Apr 5, 2009 · $23,000 damage
Extreme cold & wind chill48Jan 2026—
Damaging thunderstorm winds47May 2025May 22, 1996 · $50,000 damage
High winds26Jan 2026Nov 2, 1997 · $36,000 damage
Excessive heat17Jul 2025—
Flooding12Mar 2019Jun 11, 2010 · $1.5 million damage
Flash flooding12May 2024Mar 13, 2019 · $170,000 damage
Blizzards7Mar 2025—

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 Colfax forecast zone and Colfax County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.

How much snow does Howells get?

A normal year brings about 24 inches of snow to Howells, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Howells weather station in town. The snowiest month is usually February (6.5 in).

OctNovDecJanFebMarAprMay
0.72.34.25.26.53.11.70.0

Normal snowfall in inches. TALON Pro compares this season's snow at your location with these normals as winter goes on.

Which radars cover Howells?

The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KOAX (Omaha, NE), about 43 miles southeast. 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.

RadarDistanceLowest beam over HowellsView
KOAX
Omaha, NE		43 mi southeast2,900 ftExcellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground
KUEX
Hastings, NE		123 mi southwest13,200 ftLimited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms
KFSD
Sioux Falls, SD		130 mi north14,400 ftLimited — 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 Howells

Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 125 tornadoes within 25 miles of Howells, 23 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in June and May. The strongest was an EF4 on June 16, 2014, which passed about 17 miles north-northwest of town and caused 1 death. The most recent was an EF1 on May 19, 2025, which touched down about 20 miles south-southeast of town.

Hail: 340 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 42 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 3.50-inch hail on May 5, 1964.

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 Howells'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.

Howells radar FAQ

Where is the nearest weather radar to Howells, NE?

KOAX (Omaha, NE), about 43 miles southeast. KUEX (Hastings, NE) is 123 miles away and also covers the area.

Does radar show snow in Howells?

Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Howells the lowest scan from KOAX is about 2,900 ft up.

Is TALON's radar for Howells 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 Howells, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.

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