Blue Rapids, KS Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Blue Rapids, Marshall County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Blue Rapids?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 96 days in the Marshall forecast zone and Marshall County — the most common reported hazard around Blue Rapids, mostly in June and July. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (54 days) and flash flooding (26 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 96 | Jun 2026 | Jun 11, 1997 · $200,000 damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 54 | Jan 2026 | Apr 10, 1997 · 1 death · $25,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 26 | Apr 2026 | May 24, 2007 · $100,000 damage |
| Excessive heat | 16 | Jun 2012 | — |
| High winds | 10 | Jun 2014 | Feb 11, 1999 · 1 death |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 9 | Dec 2022 | — |
| Flooding | 7 | Jun 2015 | May 24, 2007 · $50,000 damage |
| Ice storms & sleet | 6 | 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 Marshall forecast zone and Marshall County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Blue Rapids get?
A normal year brings about 13 inches of snow to Blue Rapids, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Blue Rapids weather station in town. The snowiest month is usually February (4.0 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.0 | 1.2 | 2.9 | 3.8 | 4.0 | 1.0 | 0.4 | 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 Blue Rapids?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KTWX (Topeka, KS), about 52 miles south-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 Blue Rapids | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KTWX Topeka, KS | 52 mi south-southeast | 3,800 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KUEX Hastings, NE | 104 mi west-northwest | 10,200 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KOAX Omaha, NE | 114 mi north | 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 Blue Rapids
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 88 tornadoes within 25 miles of Blue Rapids, 14 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in May and June. The strongest was an F3 on September 25, 1973, which passed about 21 miles west-northwest of town and caused 3 deaths. The most recent was a tornado of unknown strength on August 14, 2024, which touched down about 12 miles south-southeast of town.
Hail: 543 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 72 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 Blue Rapids'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.
Blue Rapids radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Blue Rapids, KS?
KTWX (Topeka, KS), about 52 miles south-southeast. KUEX (Hastings, NE) is 104 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Blue Rapids?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Blue Rapids the lowest scan from KTWX is about 3,800 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Blue Rapids 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 Blue Rapids, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
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