Bluff City, KS Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Bluff City, Harper County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Bluff City?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 107 days in the Harper forecast zone and Harper County — the most common reported hazard around Bluff City, mostly in June and July. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (27 days) and flash flooding (17 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 107 | Jun 2026 | Apr 23, 2004 · $350,000 damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 27 | Jan 2026 | Mar 12, 1999 · $8,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 17 | Oct 2019 | Apr 26, 2009 · $5.0 million damage |
| Flooding | 13 | May 2019 | Nov 1, 1998 · $1.0 million damage |
| High winds | 12 | Mar 2026 | Jun 9, 2020 · $10,000 damage |
| Excessive heat | 9 | Aug 2011 | — |
| Ice storms & sleet | 4 | Jan 2017 | — |
| Blizzards | 2 | Feb 2013 | Mar 27, 2009 · $250,000 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 Harper forecast zone and Harper County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Bluff City get?
A normal year brings about 7.9 inches of snow to Bluff City, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Bluff City weather station in town. The snowiest month is usually February (3.0 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.0 | 0.1 | 2.4 | 1.4 | 3.0 | 1.0 | 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 Bluff City?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KVNX (Vance AFB, OK), about 27 miles south-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 Bluff City | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KVNX Vance AFB, OK | 27 mi south-southwest | 1,600 ft | Excellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground |
| KICT Wichita, KS | 46 mi north-northeast | 3,200 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KDDC Dodge City, KS | 124 mi west-northwest | 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 Bluff City
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 142 tornadoes within 25 miles of Bluff City, 24 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in May and April. The strongest was an F4 on March 16, 1965, which passed about 21 miles south-southeast of town. The most recent was an EF0 on June 17, 2025, which touched down about 14 miles northwest of town.
Hail: 513 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 59 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.50-inch hail on July 9, 2003.
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 Bluff City'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.
Bluff City radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Bluff City, KS?
KVNX (Vance AFB, OK), about 27 miles south-southwest. KICT (Wichita, KS) is 46 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Bluff City?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Bluff City the lowest scan from KVNX is about 1,600 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Bluff City 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 Bluff City, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Anthony, KS radar 11 mi
- Caldwell, KS radar 15 mi
- Harper, KS radar 17 mi
- Conway Springs, KS radar 25 mi
- Wellington, KS radar 29 mi
- Clearwater, KS radar 36 mi
- Cheney, KS radar 39 mi
- Belle Plaine, KS radar 39 mi
- Oxford, KS radar 41 mi
- Medicine Lodge, KS radar 41 mi