Atchison, KS Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Atchison, Atchison County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Atchison?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged river or areal flooding on 42 days in the Atchison forecast zone and Atchison County — the most common reported hazard around Atchison, mostly in May and June. Next come damaging thunderstorm winds (42 days) and heavy snow & winter storms (24 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flooding | 42 | Jun 2019 | Jun 19, 2001 · $260,000 damage |
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 42 | Jun 2025 | Feb 25, 2000 · $30,000 damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 24 | Jan 2026 | Jan 30, 2002 · $200,000 damage |
| Excessive heat | 14 | Aug 2023 | — |
| Flash flooding | 11 | May 2019 | — |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 9 | Feb 2025 | — |
| Ice storms & sleet | 6 | Feb 2019 | Dec 10, 2007 · $50,000 damage |
| Blizzards | 4 | Nov 2018 | — |
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 Atchison forecast zone and Atchison County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Atchison get?
A normal year brings about 17 inches of snow to Atchison, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Atchison weather station 1.6 miles away. The snowiest month is usually January (5.0 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.3 | 0.9 | 3.8 | 5.0 | 4.8 | 1.8 | 0.4 | 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 Atchison?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KEAX (Kansas City, MO), about 70 miles southeast. 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 Atchison | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KEAX Kansas City, MO | 70 mi southeast | 5,700 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KTWX Topeka, KS | 70 mi west-southwest | 5,700 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KOAX Omaha, NE | 138 mi north-northwest | 15,800 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 Atchison
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 106 tornadoes within 25 miles of Atchison, 29 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in May and April. The strongest was an F4 on June 8, 1966, which passed about 25 miles south-southeast of town and caused 1 death. The most recent was an EF0 on May 19, 2025, which passed about 18 miles east-northeast of town.
Hail: 461 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 51 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.50-inch hail on August 19, 2011.
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 Atchison'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.
Atchison radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Atchison, KS?
KEAX (Kansas City, MO), about 70 miles southeast. KTWX (Topeka, KS) is 70 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Atchison?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Atchison the lowest scan from KEAX is about 5,700 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Atchison 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 Atchison, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
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