Clay Center, KS Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Clay Center, Clay County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Clay Center?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 80 days in the Clay forecast zone and Clay County — the most common reported hazard around Clay Center, mostly in August and June. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (44 days) and flash flooding (22 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 80 | Jun 2026 | Sep 15, 2004 · $9,000 damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 44 | Jan 2026 | Apr 10, 1997 · 3 deaths |
| Flash flooding | 22 | Apr 2025 | May 24, 2007 · $700,000 damage |
| Excessive heat | 17 | Jul 2012 | — |
| High winds | 13 | May 2016 | Mar 23, 2009 · $15,000 damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 10 | Dec 2022 | — |
| Flooding | 6 | Jun 2011 | May 24, 1997 · $50,000 damage |
| Ice storms & sleet | 5 | Jan 2017 | — |
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 Clay forecast zone and Clay County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Clay Center get?
A normal year brings about 11 inches of snow to Clay Center, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Clay Ctr weather station in town. The snowiest month is usually December (3.2 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.2 | 0.9 | 3.2 | 3.1 | 2.0 | 0.8 | 0.6 | 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 Clay Center?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KTWX (Topeka, KS), about 55 miles east-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 Clay Center | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KTWX Topeka, KS | 55 mi east-southeast | 4,000 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KUEX Hastings, NE | 95 mi northwest | 8,900 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KICT Wichita, KS | 121 mi south | 12,800 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 Clay Center
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 96 tornadoes within 25 miles of Clay Center, 19 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in May and June. The strongest was an F4 on May 20, 1957, which passed about 25 miles northwest of town. The most recent was a tornado of unknown strength on May 9, 2023, which touched down about 20 miles west of town.
Hail: 540 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 67 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.50-inch hail on April 15, 2012.
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 Clay Center'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.
Clay Center radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Clay Center, KS?
KTWX (Topeka, KS), about 55 miles east-southeast. KUEX (Hastings, NE) is 95 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Clay Center?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Clay Center the lowest scan from KTWX is about 4,000 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Clay Center 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 Clay Center, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Junction City, KS radar 29 mi
- Chapman, KS radar 29 mi
- Ogden, KS radar 29 mi
- Grandview Plaza, KS radar 30 mi
- Washington, KS radar 30 mi
- Concordia, KS radar 31 mi
- Manhattan, KS radar 31 mi
- Abilene, KS radar 32 mi
- Solomon, KS radar 34 mi
- Minneapolis, KS radar 35 mi