Benton, KS Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Benton, Butler County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Benton?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 228 days in the Butler forecast zone and Butler County — the most common reported hazard around Benton, mostly in June and May. Next come flooding (47 days) and flash flooding (46 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 228 | Jun 2026 | May 15, 2020 · 1 death |
| Flooding | 47 | Jun 2025 | Mar 9, 2009 · 1 death · $10,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 46 | Jun 2026 | Aug 19, 2016 · 1 death |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 41 | Jan 2026 | Jan 20, 2007 · 1 death |
| High winds | 21 | Mar 2026 | Dec 18, 2025 · 1 death |
| Excessive heat | 14 | Aug 2011 | May 9, 2011 · 1 death |
| Ice storms & sleet | 5 | Jan 2017 | Dec 11, 2007 · $1.9 million damage |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 3 | Jul 2023 | Sep 22, 2000 · $100,000 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 Butler forecast zone and Butler County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Benton get?
A normal year brings about 8.5 inches of snow to Benton, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Augusta weather station 9.7 miles away. The snowiest month is usually December (2.8 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.0 | 0.2 | 2.8 | 1.9 | 2.1 | 1.5 | 0.0 | 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 Benton?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KICT (Wichita, KS), about 21 miles west-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 Benton | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KICT Wichita, KS | 21 mi west-southwest | 1,200 ft | Excellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground |
| KVNX Vance AFB, OK | 92 mi southwest | 8,400 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KTWX Topeka, KS | 96 mi north-northeast | 9,000 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 Benton
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 172 tornadoes within 25 miles of Benton, 35 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in May and June. The strongest was an F5 on April 26, 1991, which passed about 3 miles southeast of town and caused 17 deaths. The most recent was a tornado of unknown strength on September 14, 2025, which touched down about 20 miles east-northeast of town.
Hail: 1,326 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 144 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 Benton'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.
Benton radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Benton, KS?
KICT (Wichita, KS), about 21 miles west-southwest. KVNX (Vance AFB, OK) is 92 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Benton?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Benton the lowest scan from KICT is about 1,200 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Benton 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 Benton, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Towanda, KS radar 6 mi
- Andover, KS radar 7 mi
- Bel Aire, KS radar 8 mi
- Kechi, KS radar 9 mi
- Augusta, KS radar 10 mi
- Park City, KS radar 12 mi
- El Dorado, KS radar 14 mi
- Valley Center, KS radar 15 mi
- Wichita, KS radar 15 mi
- Rose Hill, KS radar 15 mi