Ada, KS Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Ada, Ottawa County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Ada?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 101 days in the Ottawa forecast zone and Ottawa County — the most common reported hazard around Ada, mostly in July and June. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (42 days) and flash flooding (27 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 101 | Jun 2026 | Jul 9, 2004 · $25,000 damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 42 | Jan 2024 | Dec 7, 1997 · $30,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 27 | Jun 2026 | May 6, 2007 · $50,000 damage |
| Excessive heat | 18 | Jul 2012 | Jul 19, 2010 · $240,000 damage |
| Flooding | 12 | Sep 2025 | Sep 8, 2025 · $3.6 million damage |
| High winds | 11 | Jun 2014 | Mar 23, 1996 · $40,000 damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 10 | Dec 2022 | — |
| Ice storms & sleet | 4 | Jan 2017 | Jan 16, 2003 · 1 death |
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 Ottawa forecast zone and Ottawa County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Ada get?
A normal year brings about 16 inches of snow to Ada, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Barnard weather station 8.6 miles away. The snowiest month is usually January (5.1 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.2 | 0.6 | 3.5 | 5.1 | 3.8 | 1.8 | 0.9 | 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 Ada?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KUEX (Hastings, NE), about 85 miles north-northwest. 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 Ada | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KUEX Hastings, NE | 85 mi north-northwest | 7,600 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KTWX Topeka, KS | 89 mi east | 8,100 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KICT Wichita, KS | 107 mi south-southeast | 10,600 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 Ada
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 96 tornadoes within 25 miles of Ada, 17 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in May and June. The strongest was an EF4 on April 14, 2012, which passed about 19 miles southeast of town. The most recent was a tornado of unknown strength on May 9, 2023, which touched down about 23 miles east-northeast of town.
Hail: 594 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 61 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.50-inch hail on May 11, 2002.
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 Ada'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.
Ada radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Ada, KS?
KUEX (Hastings, NE), about 85 miles north-northwest. KTWX (Topeka, KS) is 89 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Ada?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Ada the lowest scan from KUEX is about 7,600 ft up, so light snow from shallow clouds can be under-shown — check NWS winter alerts too.
Is TALON's radar for Ada 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 Ada, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
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