Osceola, NE Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Osceola, Polk County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Osceola?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged heavy snow or a winter storm on 54 days in the Polk forecast zone and Polk County — the most common reported hazard around Osceola, mostly in February and January. Next come damaging thunderstorm winds (53 days) and high winds (31 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 54 | Jan 2024 | Mar 19, 2006 · $100,000 damage |
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 53 | Aug 2025 | Jul 31, 2014 · $2.6 million damage |
| High winds | 31 | Mar 2026 | Dec 25, 2016 · $1.0 million damage |
| Blizzards | 12 | Mar 2025 | Nov 28, 2005 · $25,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 11 | Aug 2017 | May 10, 2016 · $3.1 million damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 10 | Feb 2025 | — |
| Ice storms & sleet | 7 | Nov 2020 | Dec 30, 2006 · $500,000 damage |
| Flooding | 7 | Jun 2024 | May 27, 2019 · $500,000 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 Polk forecast zone and Polk County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Osceola get?
A normal year brings about 29 inches of snow to Osceola, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Osceola weather station in town. The snowiest month is usually February (7.5 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.9 | 2.8 | 5.8 | 6.2 | 7.5 | 4.1 | 2.0 | 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 Osceola?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KOAX (Omaha, NE), about 62 miles east. 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 Osceola | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KOAX Omaha, NE | 62 mi east | 4,800 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KUEX Hastings, NE | 75 mi southwest | 6,300 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KLNX North Platte, NE | 165 mi west-northwest | 21,300 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 Osceola
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 144 tornadoes within 25 miles of Osceola, 26 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in May and June. The strongest was an F5 on May 5, 1964, which passed about 2 miles southeast of town and caused 4 deaths. The most recent was a tornado of unknown strength on August 14, 2024, which touched down about 10 miles north-northeast of town.
Hail: 564 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 79 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.50-inch hail on August 16, 2002.
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 Osceola'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.
Osceola radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Osceola, NE?
KOAX (Omaha, NE), about 62 miles east. KUEX (Hastings, NE) is 75 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Osceola?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Osceola the lowest scan from KOAX is about 4,800 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Osceola 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 Osceola, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
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- York, NE radar 21 mi
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- Fullerton, NE radar 25 mi
- Seward, NE radar 30 mi
- Henderson, NE radar 31 mi
- Schuyler, NE radar 32 mi
- Aurora, NE radar 32 mi