Sterling, NE Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Sterling, Johnson County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Sterling?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 48 days in the Johnson forecast zone and Johnson County — the most common reported hazard around Sterling, mostly in June and May. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (44 days) and extreme cold & wind chill (27 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 48 | May 2026 | Jul 20, 2000 · $520,000 damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 44 | Feb 2025 | Oct 22, 1996 · $550,000 damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 27 | Feb 2025 | — |
| Excessive heat | 25 | Jul 2025 | — |
| High winds | 15 | Mar 2025 | — |
| Flash flooding | 9 | May 2026 | May 23, 1996 · $2.0 million damage |
| Blizzards | 7 | Mar 2025 | Nov 25, 2018 · 1 death |
| Ice storms & sleet | 4 | Jan 2017 | — |
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 Johnson forecast zone and Johnson County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Sterling get?
A normal year brings about 21 inches of snow to Sterling, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Sterling weather station in town. The snowiest month is usually January (7.4 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.8 | 0.6 | 3.7 | 7.4 | 6.0 | 1.5 | 1.0 | 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 Sterling?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KOAX (Omaha, NE), about 59 miles north. 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 Sterling | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KOAX Omaha, NE | 59 mi north | 4,500 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KTWX Topeka, KS | 101 mi south | 9,800 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KUEX Hastings, NE | 109 mi west | 11,000 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 Sterling
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 117 tornadoes within 25 miles of Sterling, 27 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in May and April. The strongest was an F4 on May 22, 2004, which passed about 15 miles north-northwest of town and caused 1 death. The most recent was an EF0 on August 10, 2025, which touched down about 19 miles east-northeast of town.
Hail: 431 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 51 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 Sterling'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.
Sterling radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Sterling, NE?
KOAX (Omaha, NE), about 59 miles north. KTWX (Topeka, KS) is 101 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Sterling?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Sterling the lowest scan from KOAX is about 4,500 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Sterling 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 Sterling, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Tecumseh, NE radar 12 mi
- Bennet, NE radar 17 mi
- Syracuse, NE radar 17 mi
- Hickman, NE radar 17 mi
- Beatrice, NE radar 23 mi
- Eagle, NE radar 25 mi
- Wymore, NE radar 28 mi
- Auburn, NE radar 29 mi
- Lincoln, NE radar 29 mi
- Weeping Water, NE radar 31 mi