Arkansas City, KS Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Arkansas City, Cowley County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Arkansas City?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 179 days in the Cowley forecast zone and Cowley County — the most common reported hazard around Arkansas City, mostly in June and May. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (35 days) and flash flooding (28 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 179 | Jun 2026 | Jun 1, 2007 · $1.5 million damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 35 | Jan 2026 | Mar 27, 2009 · $2.0 million damage |
| Flash flooding | 28 | May 2022 | Jul 1, 2007 · $320,000 damage |
| Flooding | 19 | Apr 2024 | Nov 1, 1998 · $8.0 million damage |
| High winds | 15 | Mar 2026 | Jul 22, 2003 · $100,000 damage |
| Excessive heat | 13 | Jul 2021 | — |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 12 | Mar 2017 | Aug 27, 2009 · $100,000 damage |
| Ice storms & sleet | 6 | Oct 2020 | Dec 11, 2007 · $200,000 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 Cowley forecast zone and Cowley County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Arkansas City get?
A normal year brings about 6.2 inches of snow to Arkansas City, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Arkansas City weather station in town. The snowiest month is usually December (1.9 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.0 | 0.2 | 1.9 | 1.8 | 1.1 | 1.1 | 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 Arkansas City?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KICT (Wichita, KS), about 46 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 Arkansas City | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KICT Wichita, KS | 46 mi north-northwest | 3,200 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KVNX Vance AFB, OK | 64 mi west-southwest | 5,000 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KINX Tulsa, OK | 103 mi southeast | 10,000 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 Arkansas City
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 168 tornadoes within 25 miles of Arkansas City, 32 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in May and June. The strongest was an F5 on May 25, 1955, which crossed near town and caused 80 deaths. The most recent was an EF0 on May 6, 2024, which touched down about 25 miles south of town.
Hail: 749 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 95 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.50-inch hail on June 13, 1998.
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 Arkansas City'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.
Arkansas City radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Arkansas City, KS?
KICT (Wichita, KS), about 46 miles north-northwest. KVNX (Vance AFB, OK) is 64 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Arkansas City?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Arkansas City the lowest scan from KICT is about 3,200 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Arkansas City 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 Arkansas City, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Winfield, KS radar 12 mi
- Oxford, KS radar 16 mi
- Wellington, KS radar 25 mi
- Belle Plaine, KS radar 26 mi
- Mulvane, KS radar 30 mi
- Douglass, KS radar 31 mi
- Caldwell, KS radar 32 mi
- Rose Hill, KS radar 35 mi
- Derby, KS radar 36 mi
- Haysville, KS radar 38 mi