Wood Lake, NE Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Wood Lake, Cherry County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Wood Lake?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 164 days in the Eastern Cherry forecast zone and Cherry County — the most common reported hazard around Wood Lake, mostly in July and June. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (62 days) and high winds (36 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 164 | Jun 2026 | Jun 6, 2014 · $150,000 damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 62 | Feb 2023 | Apr 11, 2001 · $10 million damage |
| High winds | 36 | Mar 2026 | Nov 1, 1997 · $20,000 damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 25 | Feb 2025 | — |
| Blizzards | 15 | Dec 2023 | Apr 4, 2009 · $70,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 9 | Jun 2025 | Jul 26, 2001 · $39,000 damage |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 3 | Jun 2010 | Jun 10, 2010 · $1,000 damage |
| Flooding | 3 | Jul 2020 | Jun 12, 2010 · $140,000 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 Eastern Cherry forecast zone and Cherry County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
Which radars cover Wood Lake?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KLNX (North Platte, NE), about 50 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 Wood Lake | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KLNX North Platte, NE | 50 mi south-southwest | 3,600 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KUDX Rapid City, SD | 166 mi northwest | 21,400 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KUEX Hastings, NE | 185 mi south-southeast | 25,700 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 Wood Lake
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 46 tornadoes within 25 miles of Wood Lake, 6 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in July and August. The strongest was an F3 on May 14, 1962, which passed about 23 miles northeast of town. The most recent was a tornado of unknown strength on July 27, 2025, which touched down about 24 miles west-southwest of town.
Hail: 276 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 31 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 5.00-inch hail on July 30, 1976.
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 Wood Lake'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.
Wood Lake radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Wood Lake, NE?
KLNX (North Platte, NE), about 50 miles south-southwest. KUDX (Rapid City, SD) is 166 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Wood Lake?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Wood Lake the lowest scan from KLNX is about 3,600 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Wood Lake 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 Wood Lake, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Ainsworth, NE radar 20 mi
- Valentine, NE radar 23 mi