Surprise, NE Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Surprise, Butler County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Surprise?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 61 days in the Butler forecast zone and Butler County — the most common reported hazard around Surprise, mostly in June and May. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (51 days) and extreme cold & wind chill (41 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 61 | Jun 2026 | Jun 20, 1997 · $100,000 damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 51 | Feb 2026 | Oct 25, 1997 · $1.1 million damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 41 | Feb 2025 | — |
| High winds | 30 | Mar 2026 | Jan 17, 1996 · $5,000 damage |
| Excessive heat | 21 | Jul 2025 | — |
| Flooding | 17 | Jul 2024 | Aug 16, 2017 · $200,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 12 | May 2024 | Aug 16, 2017 · $200,000 damage |
| Blizzards | 10 | 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 Butler forecast zone and Butler County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Surprise get?
A normal year brings about 24 inches of snow to Surprise, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Surprise weather station in town. The snowiest month is usually February (6.4 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.6 | 1.5 | 4.9 | 5.8 | 6.4 | 3.6 | 1.5 | 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 Surprise?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KOAX (Omaha, NE), about 51 miles east-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 Surprise | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KOAX Omaha, NE | 51 mi east-northeast | 3,700 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KUEX Hastings, NE | 80 mi southwest | 6,900 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KTWX Topeka, KS | 156 mi south-southeast | 19,400 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 Surprise
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 151 tornadoes within 25 miles of Surprise, 31 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in May and June. The strongest was an F5 on May 5, 1964, which passed about 11 miles northwest of town and caused 4 deaths. The most recent was a tornado of unknown strength on August 14, 2024, which touched down about 18 miles north-northwest of town.
Hail: 536 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 75 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.25-inch hail on July 26, 2014.
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 Surprise'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.
Surprise radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Surprise, NE?
KOAX (Omaha, NE), about 51 miles east-northeast. KUEX (Hastings, NE) is 80 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Surprise?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Surprise the lowest scan from KOAX is about 3,700 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Surprise 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 Surprise, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
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- Columbus, NE radar 23 mi
- Milford, NE radar 27 mi
- Schuyler, NE radar 27 mi
- Henderson, NE radar 35 mi
- Central City, NE radar 36 mi
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