Barnes, KS Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Barnes, Washington County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Barnes?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 69 days in the Washington forecast zone and Washington County — the most common reported hazard around Barnes, mostly in June and May. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (49 days) and excessive heat (15 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 69 | Aug 2025 | Aug 16, 1997 · $10,000 damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 49 | Jan 2026 | Mar 4, 2003 · 2 deaths |
| Excessive heat | 15 | Jun 2012 | — |
| Flash flooding | 12 | May 2016 | Jun 9, 2005 · $50,000 damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 10 | Dec 2022 | Apr 4, 2007 · $100,000 damage |
| High winds | 10 | Mar 2009 | Mar 23, 2009 · $1,000 damage |
| Flooding | 6 | Apr 2026 | May 7, 2007 · $600,000 damage |
| Ice storms & sleet | 5 | Jan 2017 | — |
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 Washington forecast zone and Washington County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Barnes get?
A normal year brings about 16 inches of snow to Barnes, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Parallel weather station 10.9 miles away. The snowiest month is usually January (5.4 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.1 | 0.8 | 4.0 | 5.4 | 3.8 | 1.9 | 0.3 | 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 Barnes?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KTWX (Topeka, KS), about 60 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 Barnes | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KTWX Topeka, KS | 60 mi southeast | 4,600 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KUEX Hastings, NE | 93 mi west-northwest | 8,600 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KOAX Omaha, NE | 114 mi north-northeast | 11,800 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 Barnes
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 106 tornadoes within 25 miles of Barnes, 17 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in May and June. The strongest was an F4 on May 20, 1957, which passed about 21 miles northwest of town. The most recent was a tornado of unknown strength on August 14, 2024, which touched down about 21 miles southeast of town.
Hail: 582 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 82 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 5.00-inch hail on April 26, 2016.
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 Barnes'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.
Barnes radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Barnes, KS?
KTWX (Topeka, KS), about 60 miles southeast. KUEX (Hastings, NE) is 93 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Barnes?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Barnes the lowest scan from KTWX is about 4,600 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Barnes 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 Barnes, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Washington, KS radar 12 mi
- Marysville, KS radar 15 mi
- Clay Center, KS radar 27 mi
- Manhattan, KS radar 39 mi
- Belleville, KS radar 41 mi
- Concordia, KS radar 42 mi
- Ogden, KS radar 43 mi
- St. George, KS radar 43 mi
- Seneca, KS radar 44 mi
- Wamego, KS radar 46 mi