Bel Aire, KS Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Bel Aire, Sedgwick County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Bel Aire?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 277 days in the Sedgwick forecast zone and Sedgwick County — the most common reported hazard around Bel Aire, mostly in June and July. Next come flooding (63 days) and flash flooding (58 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 277 | Jun 2026 | Jul 10, 1998 · $3.0 million damage |
| Flooding | 63 | Jun 2025 | May 27, 2016 · 1 death |
| Flash flooding | 58 | Jun 2026 | Sep 12, 2008 · 1 death · $17,000 damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 44 | Jan 2026 | Jan 4, 2005 · 3 deaths |
| High winds | 38 | Mar 2026 | Feb 25, 2000 · 1 death · $2,000 damage |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 21 | Aug 2024 | Jun 4, 1996 · 2 deaths |
| Excessive heat | 17 | Aug 2024 | Jul 16, 2006 · 3 deaths |
| Ice storms & sleet | 5 | Jan 2017 | Dec 11, 2007 · $1.9 million 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 Sedgwick forecast zone and Sedgwick County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Bel Aire get?
A normal year brings about 13 inches of snow to Bel Aire, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Wichita weather station 13.6 miles away. The snowiest month is usually February (3.6 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.2 | 0.8 | 3.1 | 2.7 | 3.6 | 2.1 | 0.2 | 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 Bel Aire?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KICT (Wichita, KS), about 14 miles southwest. 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 Bel Aire | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KICT Wichita, KS | 14 mi southwest | 700 ft | Excellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground |
| KVNX Vance AFB, OK | 86 mi southwest | 7,700 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KTWX Topeka, KS | 101 mi north-northeast | 9,700 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
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 Bel Aire
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 181 tornadoes within 25 miles of Bel Aire, 37 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in May and April. The strongest was an F5 on April 26, 1991, which passed about 7 miles southeast of town and caused 17 deaths. The most recent was a tornado of unknown strength on April 30, 2024, which touched down about 25 miles northwest of town.
Hail: 1,438 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 160 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 7.75-inch hail on September 15, 2010.
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 Bel Aire'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.
Bel Aire radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Bel Aire, KS?
KICT (Wichita, KS), about 14 miles southwest. KVNX (Vance AFB, OK) is 86 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Bel Aire?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Bel Aire the lowest scan from KICT is about 700 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Bel Aire 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 Bel Aire, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Kechi, KS radar 2 mi
- Park City, KS radar 5 mi
- Valley Center, KS radar 8 mi
- Wichita, KS radar 8 mi
- Andover, KS radar 9 mi
- Maize, KS radar 12 mi
- Sedgwick, KS radar 14 mi
- Towanda, KS radar 14 mi
- Derby, KS radar 15 mi
- Rose Hill, KS radar 15 mi