Preston, NE Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Preston, Richardson County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Preston?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 63 days in the Richardson forecast zone and Richardson County — the most common reported hazard around Preston, mostly in June and May. Next come flooding (57 days) and heavy snow & winter storms (43 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 63 | May 2026 | Oct 30, 2024 · $1.5 million damage |
| Flooding | 57 | Jun 2026 | Jun 11, 2010 · $500,000 damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 43 | Feb 2025 | Oct 22, 1996 · $830,000 damage |
| Excessive heat | 27 | Jun 2026 | — |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 24 | Feb 2025 | — |
| High winds | 19 | Mar 2026 | Apr 18, 2002 · $100,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 8 | Jun 2026 | Jun 15, 2009 · $10,000 damage |
| Blizzards | 5 | 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 Richardson forecast zone and Richardson County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Preston get?
A normal year brings about 22 inches of snow to Preston, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Rulo 2W weather station 3.1 miles away. The snowiest month is usually January (7.4 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.4 | 1.0 | 5.4 | 7.4 | 5.7 | 1.6 | 0.6 | 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 Preston?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KTWX (Topeka, KS), about 81 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 Preston | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KTWX Topeka, KS | 81 mi south-southwest | 7,000 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KOAX Omaha, NE | 99 mi north-northwest | 9,500 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KEAX Kansas City, MO | 108 mi southeast | 10,800 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 Preston
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 108 tornadoes within 25 miles of Preston, 22 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in May and June. The strongest was an F3 on May 5, 1950, which passed about 13 miles south of town. The most recent was a tornado of unknown strength on June 28, 2024, which touched down about 18 miles north of town.
Hail: 345 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 51 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.50-inch hail on July 29, 1992.
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 Preston'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.
Preston radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Preston, NE?
KTWX (Topeka, KS), about 81 miles south-southwest. KOAX (Omaha, NE) is 99 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Preston?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Preston the lowest scan from KTWX is about 7,000 ft up, so light snow from shallow clouds can be under-shown — check NWS winter alerts too.
Is TALON's radar for Preston 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 Preston, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Falls City, NE radar 5 mi
- Auburn, NE radar 30 mi
- Tecumseh, NE radar 42 mi
- Nebraska City, NE radar 48 mi
- Syracuse, NE radar 56 mi
- Wymore, NE radar 61 mi