Kansas, AL Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Kansas, Walker County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Kansas?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 163 days in the Walker forecast zone and Walker County — the most common reported hazard around Kansas, mostly in July and June. Next come flash flooding (30 days) and heavy snow & winter storms (12 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 163 | Jun 2026 | Oct 13, 2014 · 1 death |
| Flash flooding | 30 | Jun 2026 | May 7, 2003 · $300,000 damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 12 | Jan 2025 | Jan 28, 2000 · $15,000 damage |
| Excessive heat | 7 | Jul 2025 | — |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 6 | Jan 2026 | Jan 20, 2026 · 1 death |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 6 | Aug 2023 | Aug 9, 2013 · $775,000 damage |
| High winds | 3 | Sep 2004 | Sep 16, 2004 · $225,000 damage |
| Ice storms & sleet | 3 | Mar 2015 | Dec 23, 1998 · $500,000 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 Walker forecast zone and Walker County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
Which radars cover Kansas?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KGWX (Columbus AFB, MS), about 44 miles west. 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 Kansas | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KGWX Columbus AFB, MS | 44 mi west | 3,000 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KBMX Birmingham, AL | 68 mi southeast | 5,400 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KHTX Huntsville, AL | 110 mi northeast | 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 Kansas
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 140 tornadoes within 25 miles of Kansas, 45 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in April and March. The strongest was an F5 on April 3, 1974, which passed about 15 miles northwest of town and caused 28 deaths. The most recent was an EF2 on March 15, 2025, which passed about 24 miles southeast of town.
Hail: 193 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 16 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.25-inch hail on April 21, 2006.
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 Kansas'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.
Kansas radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Kansas, AL?
KGWX (Columbus AFB, MS), about 44 miles west. KBMX (Birmingham, AL) is 68 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Kansas?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Kansas the lowest scan from KGWX is about 3,000 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Kansas 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 Kansas, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Carbon Hill, AL radar 2 mi
- Winfield, AL radar 14 mi
- Berry, AL radar 17 mi
- Jasper, AL radar 17 mi
- Double Springs, AL radar 20 mi
- Guin, AL radar 21 mi
- Fayette, AL radar 21 mi
- Cordova, AL radar 23 mi
- Haleyville, AL radar 23 mi
- Bear Creek, AL radar 26 mi