Wauneta, NE Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Wauneta, Chase County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Wauneta?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 98 days in the Chase forecast zone and Chase County — the most common reported hazard around Wauneta, mostly in July and June. Next come high winds (59 days) and heavy snow & winter storms (39 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 98 | Jun 2026 | Jul 22, 2009 · $520,000 damage |
| High winds | 59 | Mar 2026 | Oct 11, 1997 · $46,000 damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 39 | Mar 2024 | Jan 17, 1996 · $30,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 11 | Jun 2025 | Jun 11, 2007 · $535,000 damage |
| Blizzards | 9 | Dec 2022 | — |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 7 | Feb 2025 | — |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 2 | Jul 2011 | Jul 11, 2011 · $100,000 damage |
| Flooding | 2 | May 2023 | Jun 12, 2010 · $120,000 damage |
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 Chase forecast zone and Chase County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Wauneta get?
A normal year brings about 24 inches of snow to Wauneta, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Wauneta weather station in town. The snowiest month is usually January (5.1 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.9 | 3.4 | 3.9 | 5.1 | 5.0 | 3.1 | 1.8 | 0.1 |
Normal snowfall in inches. TALON Pro compares this season's snow at your location with these normals as winter goes on.
Which radars cover Wauneta?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KGLD (Goodland, KS), about 75 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 Wauneta | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KGLD Goodland, KS | 75 mi south-southwest | 6,200 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KLNX North Platte, NE | 114 mi north-northeast | 11,800 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KUEX Hastings, NE | 154 mi east | 19,000 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 Wauneta
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 88 tornadoes within 25 miles of Wauneta, 12 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in May and June. The strongest was an F4 on October 29, 1956, which passed about 21 miles north-northeast of town. The most recent was an EF0 on May 18, 2025, which touched down about 20 miles south-southeast of town.
Hail: 567 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 98 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.50-inch hail on August 17, 1999.
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 Wauneta'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.
Wauneta radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Wauneta, NE?
KGLD (Goodland, KS), about 75 miles south-southwest. KLNX (North Platte, NE) is 114 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Wauneta?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Wauneta the lowest scan from KGLD is about 6,200 ft up, so light snow from shallow clouds can be under-shown — check NWS winter alerts too.
Is TALON's radar for Wauneta 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 Wauneta, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Imperial, NE radar 16 mi
- Grant, NE radar 35 mi
- McCook, NE radar 42 mi
- Ogallala, NE radar 53 mi
- Sutherland, NE radar 53 mi
- North Platte, NE radar 59 mi