Topeka, IN Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Topeka, Lagrange County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Topeka?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 74 days in the Lagrange forecast zone and Lagrange County — the most common reported hazard around Topeka, mostly in July and June. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (41 days) and high winds (11 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 74 | Jun 2026 | Jul 1, 2014 · 1 death |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 41 | Nov 2025 | Feb 9, 2018 · 1 death |
| High winds | 11 | Nov 2019 | Apr 6, 1997 · $15,000 damage |
| Ice storms & sleet | 5 | Feb 2019 | Feb 24, 2007 · $25,000 damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 5 | Jan 2024 | — |
| Flash flooding | 2 | Jul 2006 | Jul 12, 2006 · $400,000 damage |
| Flooding | 2 | Feb 2018 | Feb 6, 2008 · $100,000 damage |
| Blizzards | 1 | Feb 2011 | — |
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 Lagrange forecast zone and Lagrange County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Topeka get?
A normal year brings about 24 inches of snow to Topeka, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Ligonier 2 S weather station 7.8 miles away. The snowiest month is usually January (9.5 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.2 | 1.3 | 5.3 | 9.5 | 3.6 | 3.3 | 0.7 | 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 Topeka?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KIWX (Fort Wayne, IN), about 15 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 Topeka | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KIWX Fort Wayne, IN | 15 mi south-southwest | 800 ft | Excellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground |
| KGRR Grand Rapids, MI | 94 mi north | 8,700 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KLOT Chicago, IL | 131 mi west | 14,700 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 Topeka
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 85 tornadoes within 25 miles of Topeka, 27 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in April and June. The strongest was an F4 on April 11, 1965, which passed about 13 miles north-northwest of town and caused 36 deaths. The most recent was an EF1 on April 2, 2025, which passed about 23 miles east-northeast of town.
Hail: 191 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 21 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 9.99-inch hail on May 6, 1961.
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 Topeka'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.
Topeka radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Topeka, IN?
KIWX (Fort Wayne, IN), about 15 miles south-southwest. KGRR (Grand Rapids, MI) is 94 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Topeka?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Topeka the lowest scan from KIWX is about 800 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Topeka 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 Topeka, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Ligonier, IN radar 6 mi
- Wolcottville, IN radar 9 mi
- Lagrange, IN radar 10 mi
- Rome City, IN radar 10 mi
- Albion, IN radar 12 mi
- Middlebury, IN radar 12 mi
- Syracuse, IN radar 13 mi
- Goshen, IN radar 15 mi
- Kendallville, IN radar 16 mi
- Milford, IN radar 17 mi