Plains, TX Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Plains, Yoakum County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Plains?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged high winds on 78 days in the Yoakum forecast zone and Yoakum County — the most common reported hazard around Plains, mostly in February and April. Next come damaging thunderstorm winds (55 days) and heavy snow & winter storms (20 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| High winds | 78 | Feb 2026 | Dec 17, 2016 · $500,000 damage |
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 55 | Jun 2026 | Jun 26, 2007 · $275,000 damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 20 | Jan 2026 | Dec 29, 2009 · $20,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 9 | May 2023 | Apr 3, 2004 · $30,000 damage |
| Dust storms | 8 | Mar 2025 | — |
| Wildfires | 6 | Apr 2011 | Jan 20, 2010 · $25,000 damage |
| Flooding | 4 | May 2022 | May 8, 2007 · $20,000 damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 3 | Jan 2026 | — |
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 Yoakum forecast zone and Yoakum County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Plains get?
A normal year brings about 2.7 inches of snow to Plains, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Plains weather station in town. The snowiest month is usually December (1.1 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.0 | 0.2 | 1.1 | 0.5 | 0.9 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 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 Plains?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KLBB (Lubbock, TX), about 66 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 Plains | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KLBB Lubbock, TX | 66 mi east-northeast | 5,300 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KMAF Midland/Odessa, TX | 94 mi south-southeast | 8,700 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KFDX Cannon AFB, NM | 110 mi north-northwest | 11,100 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 Plains
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 53 tornadoes within 25 miles of Plains, 3 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in May and June. The strongest was an F2 on May 15, 1957, which touched down near town. The most recent was a tornado of unknown strength on May 27, 2023, which passed about 21 miles northwest of town.
Hail: 201 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 37 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 5.00-inch hail on May 22, 1973.
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 Plains'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.
Plains radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Plains, TX?
KLBB (Lubbock, TX), about 66 miles east-northeast. KMAF (Midland/Odessa, TX) is 94 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Plains?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Plains the lowest scan from KLBB is about 5,300 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Plains 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 Plains, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Denver City, TX radar 15 mi
- Seagraves, TX radar 23 mi
- Sundown, TX radar 27 mi
- Brownfield, TX radar 32 mi
- Seminole, TX radar 34 mi
- Morton, TX radar 37 mi
- Levelland, TX radar 38 mi
- Wolfforth, TX radar 52 mi
- Littlefield, TX radar 58 mi
- Shallowater, TX radar 59 mi