Belle Plaine, KS Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Belle Plaine, Sumner County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Belle Plaine?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 169 days in the Sumner forecast zone and Sumner County — the most common reported hazard around Belle Plaine, mostly in June and July. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (34 days) and flooding (30 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 169 | Jun 2026 | Apr 28, 1996 · $7.0 million damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 34 | Jan 2026 | Feb 8, 2011 · $65,000 damage |
| Flooding | 30 | Jul 2020 | Sep 13, 2008 · 1 death · $10,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 25 | Jun 2026 | May 8, 2019 · $2.1 million damage |
| High winds | 14 | Mar 2026 | Jun 10, 2020 · $6,000 damage |
| Excessive heat | 12 | Aug 2011 | Jul 15, 2011 · 1 death |
| Ice storms & sleet | 3 | Jan 2017 | — |
| Blizzards | 2 | Feb 2013 | Mar 27, 2009 · $50,000 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 Sumner forecast zone and Sumner County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Belle Plaine get?
A normal year brings about 9.9 inches of snow to Belle Plaine, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Belle Plaine 4 W weather station 3.9 miles away. The snowiest month is usually December (3.3 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.1 | 0.3 | 3.3 | 2.3 | 2.1 | 1.7 | 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 Belle Plaine?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KICT (Wichita, KS), about 20 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 Belle Plaine | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KICT Wichita, KS | 20 mi north-northwest | 1,100 ft | Excellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground |
| KVNX Vance AFB, OK | 65 mi southwest | 5,100 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KTWX Topeka, KS | 125 mi north-northeast | 13,500 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 Belle Plaine
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 178 tornadoes within 25 miles of Belle Plaine, 35 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in May and June. The strongest was an F5 on May 25, 1955, which passed about 23 miles east-southeast of town and caused 80 deaths. The most recent was an EF3 on April 29, 2022, which passed about 17 miles north-northeast of town.
Hail: 1,301 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 141 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 Belle Plaine'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.
Belle Plaine radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Belle Plaine, KS?
KICT (Wichita, KS), about 20 miles north-northwest. KVNX (Vance AFB, OK) is 65 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Belle Plaine?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Belle Plaine the lowest scan from KICT is about 1,100 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Belle Plaine 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 Belle Plaine, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
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