Plainview, TX Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Plainview, Hale County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Plainview?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 124 days in the Hale forecast zone and Hale County — the most common reported hazard around Plainview, mostly in June and May. Next come high winds (83 days) and heavy snow & winter storms (26 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 124 | Jun 2026 | Jun 12, 2015 · $2.5 million damage |
| High winds | 83 | Jun 2026 | Mar 13, 2019 · $400,000 damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 26 | Jan 2026 | Jan 28, 2010 · $250,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 19 | May 2026 | May 25, 2019 · $1.0 million damage |
| Flooding | 13 | May 2023 | Jul 6, 2015 · $500,000 damage |
| Wildfires | 8 | Feb 2026 | Apr 26, 2011 · $250,000 damage |
| Dust storms | 8 | Mar 2025 | Jun 18, 2009 · $750,000 damage |
| Ice storms & sleet | 3 | Feb 2008 | Jan 12, 2007 · $20,000 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 Hale forecast zone and Hale County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Plainview get?
A normal year brings about 8.2 inches of snow to Plainview, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Plainview weather station 1.2 miles away. The snowiest month is usually December (2.4 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.1 | 1.2 | 2.4 | 2.1 | 1.5 | 0.8 | 0.1 | 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 Plainview?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KLBB (Lubbock, TX), about 37 miles south. 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 Plainview | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KLBB Lubbock, TX | 37 mi south | 2,400 ft | Excellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground |
| KAMA Amarillo, TX | 72 mi north | 5,900 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KFDX Cannon AFB, NM | 112 mi west-northwest | 11,500 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 Plainview
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 218 tornadoes within 25 miles of Plainview, 27 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in May and June. The strongest was an F4 on April 17, 1970, which crossed near town and caused 5 deaths. The most recent was a tornado of unknown strength on April 24, 2025, which passed about 22 miles east-northeast of town.
Hail: 439 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 100 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.50-inch hail on May 27, 2015.
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 Plainview'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.
Plainview radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Plainview, TX?
KLBB (Lubbock, TX), about 37 miles south. KAMA (Amarillo, TX) is 72 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Plainview?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Plainview the lowest scan from KLBB is about 2,400 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Plainview 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 Plainview, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Hale Center, TX radar 11 mi
- Lockney, TX radar 17 mi
- Olton, TX radar 24 mi
- Tulia, TX radar 24 mi
- Abernathy, TX radar 26 mi
- Floydada, TX radar 26 mi
- Idalou, TX radar 37 mi
- Shallowater, TX radar 38 mi
- Littlefield, TX radar 40 mi
- Ralls, TX radar 40 mi