Chautauqua, KS Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Chautauqua, Chautauqua County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Chautauqua?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 90 days in the Chautauqua forecast zone and Chautauqua County — the most common reported hazard around Chautauqua, mostly in May and June. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (30 days) and flash flooding (17 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 90 | Apr 2026 | May 31, 2013 · $100,000 damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 30 | Jan 2026 | Jan 1, 1999 · $300,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 17 | Aug 2025 | Jun 11, 2007 · $100,000 damage |
| Excessive heat | 14 | Jul 2021 | — |
| Flooding | 13 | May 2020 | Oct 8, 2018 · $200 damage |
| Ice storms & sleet | 6 | Oct 2020 | — |
| High winds | 4 | Mar 2025 | Jun 20, 1998 · $2,000 damage |
| Blizzards | 2 | Feb 2011 | — |
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 Chautauqua forecast zone and Chautauqua County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Chautauqua get?
A normal year brings about 7.2 inches of snow to Chautauqua, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Elgin weather station 5.4 miles away. The snowiest month is usually December (3.0 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.0 | 0.0 | 3.0 | 2.0 | 1.7 | 0.5 | 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 Chautauqua?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KINX (Tulsa, OK), about 68 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 Chautauqua | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KINX Tulsa, OK | 68 mi south-southeast | 5,400 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KICT Wichita, KS | 82 mi west-northwest | 7,100 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KVNX Vance AFB, OK | 110 mi west | 11,100 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 Chautauqua
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 86 tornadoes within 25 miles of Chautauqua, 17 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in May and April. The strongest was an EF4 on May 6, 2024, which passed about 22 miles southeast of town and caused 2 deaths. The most recent was an EF1 on April 2, 2025, which passed about 20 miles southwest of town.
Hail: 388 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 37 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.50-inch hail on February 10, 2009.
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 Chautauqua'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.
Chautauqua radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Chautauqua, KS?
KINX (Tulsa, OK), about 68 miles south-southeast. KICT (Wichita, KS) is 82 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Chautauqua?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Chautauqua the lowest scan from KINX is about 5,400 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Chautauqua 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 Chautauqua, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
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