Buffalo, KS Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Buffalo, Wilson County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Buffalo?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 70 days in the Wilson forecast zone and Wilson County — the most common reported hazard around Buffalo, mostly in June and April. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (27 days) and flash flooding (25 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 70 | May 2026 | May 8, 2009 · 1 death · $510,000 damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 27 | Jan 2026 | Jan 1, 1999 · $300,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 25 | Apr 2024 | Jul 1, 2007 · $22 million damage |
| Flooding | 19 | Apr 2024 | May 7, 2019 · $200 damage |
| Excessive heat | 14 | Jul 2021 | — |
| Ice storms & sleet | 6 | Feb 2019 | — |
| High winds | 3 | Mar 2025 | Dec 13, 2008 · $2,000 damage |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 3 | Jul 2011 | Aug 20, 2005 · $150,000 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 Wilson forecast zone and Wilson County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Buffalo get?
A normal year brings about 9.0 inches of snow to Buffalo, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Yates Ctr weather station 12.2 miles away. The snowiest month is usually January (3.1 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.2 | 0.6 | 2.3 | 3.1 | 1.8 | 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 Buffalo?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KTWX (Topeka, KS), about 94 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 Buffalo | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KTWX Topeka, KS | 94 mi north-northwest | 8,700 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KICT Wichita, KS | 96 mi west | 9,000 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KINX Tulsa, OK | 106 mi south | 10,500 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 Buffalo
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 78 tornadoes within 25 miles of Buffalo, 22 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in May and April. The strongest was an F4 on April 2, 1956, which passed about 23 miles northwest of town and caused 2 deaths. The most recent was a tornado of unknown strength on June 29, 2024, which touched down about 10 miles north-northwest of town.
Hail: 413 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 42 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.25-inch hail on September 13, 2005.
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 Buffalo'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.
Buffalo radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Buffalo, KS?
KTWX (Topeka, KS), about 94 miles north-northwest. KICT (Wichita, KS) is 96 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Buffalo?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Buffalo the lowest scan from KTWX is about 8,700 ft up, so light snow from shallow clouds can be under-shown — check NWS winter alerts too.
Is TALON's radar for Buffalo 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 Buffalo, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Yates Center, KS radar 11 mi
- Chanute, KS radar 13 mi
- Fredonia, KS radar 14 mi
- Humboldt, KS radar 16 mi
- Neodesha, KS radar 20 mi
- Iola, KS radar 22 mi
- Erie, KS radar 27 mi
- Cherryvale, KS radar 31 mi
- Independence, KS radar 33 mi
- Eureka, KS radar 33 mi