Athol, KS Live Doppler Radar

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

Open live radar for AtholWhat TALON shows

What weather hits Athol?

Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 78 days in the Smith forecast zone and Smith County — the most common reported hazard around Athol, mostly in June and May. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (50 days) and high winds (30 days).

HazardDays reportedMost recentWorst on record
Damaging thunderstorm winds78Aug 2025May 26, 2002 · $4.0 million damage
Heavy snow & winter storms50Jan 2025Jan 31, 2011 · 1 death
High winds30Mar 2026Apr 2, 2006 · $20,000 damage
Blizzards12Mar 2025Nov 28, 2005 · $30,000 damage
Extreme cold & wind chill11Feb 2025—
Flash flooding8May 2025May 29, 2008 · $825,000 damage
Flooding6Aug 2015Jun 2, 2011 · $4.0 million damage
Ice storms & sleet4Jan 2017Dec 30, 2006 · $500,000 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 Smith forecast zone and Smith County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.

How much snow does Athol get?

A normal year brings about 18 inches of snow to Athol, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Smith Ctr weather station 7.6 miles away. The snowiest month is usually February (5.9 in).

OctNovDecJanFebMarAprMay
0.51.53.04.45.92.30.70.0

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

Which radars cover Athol?

The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KUEX (Hastings, NE), about 46 miles north-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 AtholView
KUEX
Hastings, NE		46 mi north-northeast3,200 ftGood — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly
KDDC
Dodge City, KS		150 mi south-southwest18,100 ftLimited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms
KGLD
Goodland, KS		151 mi west18,300 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 Athol

Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 85 tornadoes within 25 miles of Athol, 15 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in May and June. The strongest was an F4 on May 10, 1985, which passed about 8 miles northwest of town. The most recent was an EF0 on April 16, 2024, which passed about 9 miles north of town.

Hail: 459 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 46 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.25-inch hail on August 17, 2014.

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 Athol'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.

Athol radar FAQ

Where is the nearest weather radar to Athol, KS?

KUEX (Hastings, NE), about 46 miles north-northeast. KDDC (Dodge City, KS) is 150 miles away and also covers the area.

Does radar show snow in Athol?

Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Athol the lowest scan from KUEX is about 3,200 ft up.

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

Radar for nearby towns

All Kansas towns →