Sprague, NE Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Sprague, Lancaster County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Sprague?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 128 days in the Lancaster forecast zone and Lancaster County — the most common reported hazard around Sprague, mostly in June and July. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (59 days) and high winds (42 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 128 | Jun 2026 | Jun 19, 2010 · 1 death |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 59 | Feb 2026 | Oct 25, 1997 · $16 million damage |
| High winds | 42 | Mar 2026 | Oct 3, 2018 · 1 death |
| Flash flooding | 37 | Jun 2026 | May 9, 2016 · $1.5 million damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 36 | Feb 2025 | Jan 19, 1996 · $100,000 damage |
| Excessive heat | 27 | Jun 2026 | — |
| Flooding | 12 | Jul 2024 | May 6, 2015 · $100 million damage |
| Blizzards | 11 | Mar 2025 | Mar 10, 2013 · 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 Lancaster forecast zone and Lancaster County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Sprague get?
A normal year brings about 29 inches of snow to Sprague, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Roca weather station 4.9 miles away. The snowiest month is usually January (7.8 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.5 | 2.4 | 4.3 | 7.8 | 6.6 | 4.1 | 1.9 | 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 Sprague?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KOAX (Omaha, NE), about 52 miles north-northeast. 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 Sprague | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KOAX Omaha, NE | 52 mi north-northeast | 3,700 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KUEX Hastings, NE | 92 mi west-southwest | 8,400 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KTWX Topeka, KS | 116 mi south-southeast | 12,000 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 Sprague
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 127 tornadoes within 25 miles of Sprague, 40 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in May and June. The strongest was an F4 on May 22, 2004, which passed about 4 miles south-southeast of town and caused 1 death. The most recent was an EF0 on July 1, 2024, which touched down about 23 miles west of town.
Hail: 621 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 71 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 5.00-inch hail on June 11, 2022.
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 Sprague'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.
Sprague radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Sprague, NE?
KOAX (Omaha, NE), about 52 miles north-northeast. KUEX (Hastings, NE) is 92 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Sprague?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Sprague the lowest scan from KOAX is about 3,700 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Sprague 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 Sprague, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Hickman, NE radar 6 mi
- Crete, NE radar 11 mi
- Bennet, NE radar 13 mi
- Lincoln, NE radar 13 mi
- Wilber, NE radar 15 mi
- Milford, NE radar 19 mi
- Eagle, NE radar 21 mi
- Waverly, NE radar 23 mi
- Beatrice, NE radar 24 mi
- Seward, NE radar 27 mi