Carlton, KS Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Carlton, Dickinson County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Carlton?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 123 days in the Dickinson forecast zone and Dickinson County — the most common reported hazard around Carlton, mostly in June and July. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (48 days) and flash flooding (30 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 123 | Jun 2026 | Jul 22, 1996 · $90,000 damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 48 | Jan 2026 | Dec 11, 2000 · 1 death |
| Flash flooding | 30 | Jun 2026 | Jun 3, 2005 · 1 death · $300,000 damage |
| Excessive heat | 18 | Jul 2012 | — |
| High winds | 17 | Jun 2014 | Feb 24, 2007 · $200,000 damage |
| Flooding | 14 | Aug 2016 | Jun 3, 2005 · $500,000 damage |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 10 | Mar 2007 | Aug 14, 2006 · $100,000 damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 7 | Dec 2022 | — |
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 Dickinson forecast zone and Dickinson County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Carlton get?
A normal year brings about 15 inches of snow to Carlton, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Elmo 1 Sw weather station 3.2 miles away. The snowiest month is usually January (4.2 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.1 | 1.7 | 3.0 | 4.2 | 4.1 | 1.5 | 0.1 | 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 Carlton?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KTWX (Topeka, KS), about 61 miles east-northeast. 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 Carlton | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KTWX Topeka, KS | 61 mi east-northeast | 4,700 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KICT Wichita, KS | 72 mi south | 5,900 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KUEX Hastings, NE | 128 mi north-northwest | 14,200 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 Carlton
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 119 tornadoes within 25 miles of Carlton, 23 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in June and May. The strongest was an F5 on March 13, 1990, which passed about 20 miles south-southeast of town and caused 1 death. The most recent was a tornado of unknown strength on April 1, 2025, which touched down about 22 miles west-northwest of town.
Hail: 630 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 74 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.50-inch hail on June 1, 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 Carlton'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.
Carlton radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Carlton, KS?
KTWX (Topeka, KS), about 61 miles east-northeast. KICT (Wichita, KS) is 72 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Carlton?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Carlton the lowest scan from KTWX is about 4,700 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Carlton 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 Carlton, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
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