Alta Vista, KS Live Doppler Radar

Live radar for Alta Vista, Wabaunsee County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.

Open live radar for Alta VistaWhat TALON shows

What weather hits Alta Vista?

Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 104 days in the Wabaunsee forecast zone and Wabaunsee County — the most common reported hazard around Alta Vista, mostly in August and June. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (48 days) and flash flooding (30 days).

HazardDays reportedMost recentWorst on record
Damaging thunderstorm winds104Jun 2026Apr 19, 2002 · $381,000 damage
Heavy snow & winter storms48Jan 2026—
Flash flooding30Jun 2026May 31, 1996 · 1 death · $174,000 damage
Excessive heat22Jul 2012—
High winds10Jun 2014Jun 29, 2000 · $2,000 damage
Flooding9Apr 2016—
Ice storms & sleet8Jan 2020—
Extreme cold & wind chill7Dec 2022—

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 Wabaunsee forecast zone and Wabaunsee County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.

How much snow does Alta Vista get?

A normal year brings about 17 inches of snow to Alta Vista, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Alta Vista weather station in town. The snowiest month is usually January (4.7 in).

OctNovDecJanFebMarAprMay
0.51.73.84.74.11.50.20.1

Normal snowfall in inches. TALON Pro compares this season's snow at your location with these normals as winter goes on.

Which radars cover Alta Vista?

The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KTWX (Topeka, KS), about 17 miles 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.

RadarDistanceLowest beam over Alta VistaView
KTWX
Topeka, KS		17 mi northeast900 ftExcellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground
KICT
Wichita, KS		98 mi south-southwest9,400 ftFair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation
KEAX
Kansas City, MO		120 mi east12,700 ftLimited — 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 Alta Vista

Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 100 tornadoes within 25 miles of Alta Vista, 17 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in May and June. The strongest was an F4 on May 19, 1960, which passed about 22 miles north-northeast of town. The most recent was an EF0 on May 19, 2025, which touched down about 6 miles east of town.

Hail: 648 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 72 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.00-inch hail on March 13, 2024.

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 Alta Vista'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.

Alta Vista radar FAQ

Where is the nearest weather radar to Alta Vista, KS?

KTWX (Topeka, KS), about 17 miles northeast. KICT (Wichita, KS) is 98 miles away and also covers the area.

Does radar show snow in Alta Vista?

Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Alta Vista the lowest scan from KTWX is about 900 ft up.

Is TALON's radar for Alta Vista 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 Alta Vista, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.

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