Johnstown, NE Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Johnstown, Brown County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Johnstown?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 67 days in the Brown forecast zone and Brown County — the most common reported hazard around Johnstown, mostly in August and July. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (48 days) and high winds (26 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 67 | Sep 2025 | Jul 19, 2025 · $1.0 million damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 48 | Jan 2023 | Dec 19, 2006 · $5,000 damage |
| High winds | 26 | Dec 2025 | Aug 26, 2002 · $25,000 damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 17 | Feb 2025 | — |
| Blizzards | 16 | Dec 2023 | Apr 4, 2009 · $30,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 6 | Jun 2024 | Jun 30, 1997 · $500,000 damage |
| Flooding | 3 | Mar 2019 | Jun 12, 2010 · $85,000 damage |
| Wildfires | 2 | Apr 2025 | Jul 20, 2012 · $1.0 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 Brown forecast zone and Brown County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Johnstown get?
A normal year brings about 36 inches of snow to Johnstown, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Ainsworth weather station 10.3 miles away. The snowiest month is usually February (7.3 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.8 | 4.1 | 5.5 | 4.2 | 7.3 | 6.0 | 6.6 | 0.3 |
Normal snowfall in inches. TALON Pro compares this season's snow at your location with these normals as winter goes on.
Which radars cover Johnstown?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KLNX (North Platte, NE), about 50 miles south-southwest. 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 Johnstown | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KLNX North Platte, NE | 50 mi south-southwest | 3,600 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KUDX Rapid City, SD | 176 mi northwest | 23,600 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KUEX Hastings, NE | 177 mi south-southeast | 23,700 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 Johnstown
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 54 tornadoes within 25 miles of Johnstown, 6 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in July and June. The strongest was an F3 on May 14, 1962, which passed about 22 miles north-northeast of town. The most recent was a tornado of unknown strength on July 18, 2025, which touched down about 6 miles south of town.
Hail: 282 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 28 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 5.00-inch hail on July 30, 1976.
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 Johnstown'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.
Johnstown radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Johnstown, NE?
KLNX (North Platte, NE), about 50 miles south-southwest. KUDX (Rapid City, SD) is 176 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Johnstown?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Johnstown the lowest scan from KLNX is about 3,600 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Johnstown 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 Johnstown, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Ainsworth, NE radar 10 mi
- Valentine, NE radar 33 mi
- Atkinson, NE radar 55 mi