Carbondale, KS Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Carbondale, Osage County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Carbondale?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 109 days in the Osage forecast zone and Osage County — the most common reported hazard around Carbondale, mostly in August and May. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (48 days) and flash flooding (33 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 109 | Jun 2026 | Jun 29, 1998 · $200,000 damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 48 | Jan 2026 | Feb 1, 2004 · 2 deaths |
| Flash flooding | 33 | Oct 2023 | May 6, 2007 · $600,000 damage |
| Excessive heat | 21 | Jun 2012 | — |
| Flooding | 18 | Jul 2024 | May 6, 2007 · $750,000 damage |
| High winds | 12 | Jun 2016 | Mar 31, 2008 · $200,000 damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 7 | Dec 2022 | — |
| Ice storms & sleet | 7 | Dec 2008 | Feb 27, 2001 · 3 deaths |
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 Osage forecast zone and Osage County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Carbondale get?
A normal year brings about 12 inches of snow to Carbondale, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Auburn weather station 8.9 miles away. The snowiest month is usually December (3.6 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.5 | 1.0 | 3.6 | 3.1 | 2.9 | 0.8 | 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 Carbondale?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KTWX (Topeka, KS), about 31 miles west-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 Carbondale | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KTWX Topeka, KS | 31 mi west-northwest | 1,900 ft | Excellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground |
| KEAX Kansas City, MO | 77 mi east | 6,500 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KICT Wichita, KS | 125 mi southwest | 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 Carbondale
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 145 tornadoes within 25 miles of Carbondale, 37 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in May and June. The strongest was an F5 on June 8, 1966, which passed about 12 miles north-northwest of town and caused 16 deaths. The most recent was a tornado of unknown strength on June 28, 2024, which touched down about 24 miles southwest of town.
Hail: 977 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 124 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 5.25-inch hail on May 21, 2011.
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 Carbondale'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.
Carbondale radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Carbondale, KS?
KTWX (Topeka, KS), about 31 miles west-northwest. KEAX (Kansas City, MO) is 77 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Carbondale?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Carbondale the lowest scan from KTWX is about 1,900 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Carbondale 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 Carbondale, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Auburn, KS radar 9 mi
- Lyndon, KS radar 15 mi
- Osage City, KS radar 15 mi
- Topeka, KS radar 15 mi
- Silver Lake, KS radar 21 mi
- Lawrence, KS radar 25 mi
- Rossville, KS radar 26 mi
- Baldwin City, KS radar 27 mi
- Ottawa, KS radar 28 mi
- St. Marys, KS radar 33 mi