Cherokee, KS Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Cherokee, Crawford County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Cherokee?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 120 days in the Crawford forecast zone and Crawford County — the most common reported hazard around Cherokee, mostly in June and May. Next come flash flooding (76 days) and heavy snow & winter storms (27 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 120 | May 2025 | May 8, 2009 · $3.5 million damage |
| Flash flooding | 76 | Jun 2026 | Jul 30, 2013 · $250,000 damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 27 | Jan 2026 | Nov 30, 2006 · $1.6 million damage |
| Flooding | 14 | May 2022 | May 8, 2002 · $315,000 damage |
| Ice storms & sleet | 10 | Feb 2019 | Jan 30, 2002 · $2.0 million damage |
| High winds | 7 | May 2017 | Apr 11, 2001 · $150,000 damage |
| Excessive heat | 7 | Aug 2012 | — |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 6 | Feb 2025 | — |
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 Crawford forecast zone and Crawford County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Cherokee get?
A normal year brings about 9.5 inches of snow to Cherokee, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Pittsburg weather station 7.2 miles away. The snowiest month is usually January (3.4 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.0 | 0.6 | 2.9 | 3.4 | 1.0 | 1.6 | 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 Cherokee?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KSGF (Springfield, MO), about 79 miles east. 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 Cherokee | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KSGF Springfield, MO | 79 mi east | 6,700 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KINX Tulsa, OK | 91 mi south-southwest | 8,300 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KEAX Kansas City, MO | 106 mi north-northeast | 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 Cherokee
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 146 tornadoes within 25 miles of Cherokee, 38 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in May and April. The strongest was an EF5 on May 22, 2011, which passed about 24 miles south-southeast of town and caused 158 deaths. The most recent was an EF1 on April 20, 2025, which passed about 18 miles southeast of town.
Hail: 508 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 31 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.50-inch hail on May 6, 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 Cherokee'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.
Cherokee radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Cherokee, KS?
KSGF (Springfield, MO), about 79 miles east. KINX (Tulsa, OK) is 91 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Cherokee?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Cherokee the lowest scan from KSGF is about 6,700 ft up, so light snow from shallow clouds can be under-shown — check NWS winter alerts too.
Is TALON's radar for Cherokee 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 Cherokee, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Pittsburg, KS radar 8 mi
- Frontenac, KS radar 10 mi
- Girard, KS radar 11 mi
- Columbus, KS radar 12 mi
- Arma, KS radar 15 mi
- Oswego, KS radar 20 mi
- Galena, KS radar 21 mi
- Baxter Springs, KS radar 23 mi
- Parsons, KS radar 24 mi
- Erie, KS radar 28 mi