Java, SD Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Java, Walworth County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Java?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 84 days in the Walworth forecast zone and Walworth County — the most common reported hazard around Java, mostly in June and July. Next come high winds (65 days) and blizzards (46 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 84 | Jun 2026 | — |
| High winds | 65 | Mar 2026 | — |
| Blizzards | 46 | Feb 2026 | — |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 41 | Jan 2026 | Jan 8, 2019 · 1 death |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 39 | Apr 2023 | — |
| Flooding | 10 | Jun 2019 | Jun 1, 2019 · $3.2 million damage |
| Excessive heat | 8 | Jul 2024 | — |
| Flash flooding | 8 | May 2018 | May 17, 2018 · $3.0 million 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 Walworth forecast zone and Walworth County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Java get?
A normal year brings about 33 inches of snow to Java, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Selby weather station 7.4 miles away. The snowiest month is usually December (7.6 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.6 | 3.5 | 7.6 | 4.0 | 7.0 | 5.1 | 4.4 | 0.2 |
Normal snowfall in inches. TALON Pro compares this season's snow at your location with these normals as winter goes on.
Which radars cover Java?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KABR (Aberdeen, SD), about 71 miles east. 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 Java | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KABR Aberdeen, SD | 71 mi east | 5,800 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KBIS Bismarck, ND | 97 mi north-northwest | 9,200 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KUDX Rapid City, SD | 173 mi west-southwest | 22,900 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 Java
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 61 tornadoes within 25 miles of Java, 14 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in June and July. The strongest was an EF4 on May 22, 2010, which passed about 8 miles east-southeast of town. The most recent was an EF1 on September 14, 2025, which passed about 21 miles west of town.
Hail: 298 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 7, 1990.
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 Java'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.
Java radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Java, SD?
KABR (Aberdeen, SD), about 71 miles east. KBIS (Bismarck, ND) is 97 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Java?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Java the lowest scan from KABR is about 5,800 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Java 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 Java, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Mobridge, SD radar 27 mi
- Gettysburg, SD radar 35 mi