Leigh, NE Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Leigh, Colfax County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Leigh?
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 Leigh, mostly in January and February. Next come extreme cold & wind chill (48 days) and damaging thunderstorm winds (47 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 50 | Jan 2024 | Apr 5, 2009 · $23,000 damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 48 | Jan 2026 | — |
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 47 | May 2025 | May 22, 1996 · $50,000 damage |
| High winds | 26 | Jan 2026 | Nov 2, 1997 · $36,000 damage |
| Excessive heat | 17 | Jul 2025 | — |
| Flooding | 12 | Mar 2019 | Jun 11, 2010 · $1.5 million damage |
| Flash flooding | 12 | May 2024 | Mar 13, 2019 · $170,000 damage |
| Blizzards | 7 | Mar 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 Leigh get?
A normal year brings about 24 inches of snow to Leigh, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Howells weather station 12.3 miles away. The snowiest month is usually February (6.5 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.7 | 2.3 | 4.2 | 5.2 | 6.5 | 3.1 | 1.7 | 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 Leigh?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KOAX (Omaha, NE), about 52 miles east-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.
| Radar | Distance | Lowest beam over Leigh | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KOAX Omaha, NE | 52 mi east-southeast | 3,800 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KUEX Hastings, NE | 114 mi south-southwest | 11,800 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KFSD Sioux Falls, SD | 133 mi north | 14,900 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 Leigh
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 137 tornadoes within 25 miles of Leigh, 26 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in June and May. The strongest was an F5 on May 5, 1964, which passed about 24 miles south of town and caused 4 deaths. The most recent was a tornado of unknown strength on June 25, 2024, which touched down about 22 miles west-northwest of town.
Hail: 438 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 66 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 Leigh'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.
Leigh radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Leigh, NE?
KOAX (Omaha, NE), about 52 miles east-southeast. KUEX (Hastings, NE) is 114 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Leigh?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Leigh the lowest scan from KOAX is about 3,800 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Leigh 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 Leigh, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
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