Ralston, NE Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Ralston, Douglas County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Ralston?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 141 days in the Douglas forecast zone and Douglas County — the most common reported hazard around Ralston, mostly in June and July. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (61 days) and extreme cold & wind chill (42 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 141 | Jun 2026 | Aug 9, 2025 · 1 death · $3.8 million damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 61 | Feb 2026 | Dec 7, 2009 · 3 deaths |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 42 | Jan 2026 | Feb 19, 2025 · 1 death |
| High winds | 39 | Mar 2026 | Apr 25, 1996 · 1 death |
| Flooding | 33 | Jul 2024 | Aug 1, 2011 · $5.0 million damage |
| Flash flooding | 31 | Jul 2025 | Aug 7, 1999 · 1 death · $11 million damage |
| Excessive heat | 28 | Jun 2026 | Aug 19, 2023 · 1 death |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 27 | Aug 2010 | Jul 17, 2001 · 1 death |
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 Douglas forecast zone and Douglas County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Ralston get?
A normal year brings about 36 inches of snow to Ralston, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Gretna 4Ne weather station 8.5 miles away. The snowiest month is usually February (10.9 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.2 | 1.3 | 7.8 | 8.6 | 10.9 | 5.4 | 1.0 | 0.2 |
Normal snowfall in inches. TALON Pro compares this season's snow at your location with these normals as winter goes on.
Which radars cover Ralston?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KOAX (Omaha, NE), about 19 miles west-northwest. 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 Ralston | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KOAX Omaha, NE | 19 mi west-northwest | 1,100 ft | Excellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground |
| KDMX Des Moines, IA | 125 mi east-northeast | 13,600 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KUEX Hastings, NE | 140 mi west-southwest | 16,200 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 Ralston
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 130 tornadoes within 25 miles of Ralston, 31 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in June and May. The strongest was an F4 on May 6, 1975, which crossed near town and caused 3 deaths. The most recent was an EF3 on April 17, 2025, which passed about 13 miles north-northwest of town.
Hail: 897 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 122 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.50-inch hail on June 25, 2024.
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 Ralston'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.
Ralston radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Ralston, NE?
KOAX (Omaha, NE), about 19 miles west-northwest. KDMX (Des Moines, IA) is 125 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Ralston?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Ralston the lowest scan from KOAX is about 1,100 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Ralston 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 Ralston, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- La Vista, NE radar 2 mi
- Omaha, NE radar 4 mi
- Papillion, NE radar 4 mi
- Bellevue, NE radar 6 mi
- Springfield, NE radar 9 mi
- Gretna, NE radar 10 mi
- Bennington, NE radar 13 mi
- Plattsmouth, NE radar 15 mi
- Louisville, NE radar 15 mi
- Fort Calhoun, NE radar 18 mi