McCool Junction, NE Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for McCool Junction, York County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits McCool Junction?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 74 days in the York forecast zone and York County — the most common reported hazard around McCool Junction, mostly in June and May. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (51 days) and high winds (35 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 74 | Apr 2025 | Jun 14, 2022 · $50 million damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 51 | Jan 2024 | Jan 25, 2004 · 1 death · $50,000 damage |
| High winds | 35 | Mar 2026 | Dec 25, 2016 · $1.0 million damage |
| Flash flooding | 15 | May 2016 | May 11, 2005 · $3.0 million damage |
| Blizzards | 12 | Mar 2025 | Nov 28, 2005 · $10,000 damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 10 | Feb 2025 | — |
| Ice storms & sleet | 8 | Nov 2020 | Dec 30, 2006 · $1.0 million damage |
| Excessive heat | 3 | Aug 2023 | Jun 22, 2009 · $1.5 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 York forecast zone and York County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does McCool Junction get?
A normal year brings about 25 inches of snow to McCool Junction, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Fairmont weather station 7.1 miles away. The snowiest month is usually January (7.6 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.9 | 1.8 | 3.9 | 7.6 | 5.8 | 3.6 | 1.1 | 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 McCool Junction?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KUEX (Hastings, NE), about 53 miles west-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 McCool Junction | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KUEX Hastings, NE | 53 mi west-southwest | 3,800 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KOAX Omaha, NE | 76 mi east-northeast | 6,300 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KTWX Topeka, KS | 141 mi south-southeast | 16,400 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 McCool Junction
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 168 tornadoes within 25 miles of McCool Junction, 37 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in May and June. The strongest was an F5 on May 5, 1964, which passed about 18 miles northwest of town and caused 4 deaths. The most recent was an EF0 on May 18, 2025, which passed about 22 miles south of town.
Hail: 560 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 71 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 7.00-inch hail on June 22, 2003.
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 McCool Junction'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.
McCool Junction radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to McCool Junction, NE?
KUEX (Hastings, NE), about 53 miles west-southwest. KOAX (Omaha, NE) is 76 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in McCool Junction?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over McCool Junction the lowest scan from KUEX is about 3,800 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for McCool Junction 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 McCool Junction, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
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