Clayton, KS Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Clayton, Norton County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Clayton?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 118 days in the Norton forecast zone and Norton County — the most common reported hazard around Clayton, mostly in July and June. Next come high winds (41 days) and heavy snow & winter storms (37 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 118 | May 2026 | Jun 14, 2014 · $2.0 million damage |
| High winds | 41 | Mar 2026 | Apr 7, 2006 · $4,000 damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 37 | Mar 2025 | Dec 29, 2006 · $22 million damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 11 | Jan 2024 | — |
| Blizzards | 10 | Mar 2025 | — |
| Flash flooding | 8 | Aug 2023 | Sep 3, 2016 · 1 death |
| Flooding | 6 | Apr 2024 | May 22, 2008 · $25,000 damage |
| Dust storms | 5 | 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 Norton forecast zone and Norton County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Clayton get?
A normal year brings about 17 inches of snow to Clayton, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Norcatur 3Wsw weather station 6.3 miles away. The snowiest month is usually February (4.5 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.6 | 1.8 | 2.6 | 3.5 | 4.5 | 1.8 | 0.8 | 0.3 |
Normal snowfall in inches. TALON Pro compares this season's snow at your location with these normals as winter goes on.
Which radars cover Clayton?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KGLD (Goodland, KS), about 85 miles west-southwest. 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 Clayton | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KGLD Goodland, KS | 85 mi west-southwest | 7,500 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KUEX Hastings, NE | 100 mi east-northeast | 9,600 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KDDC Dodge City, KS | 137 mi south | 15,700 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 Clayton
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 96 tornadoes within 25 miles of Clayton, 13 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in June and May. The strongest was an F3 on June 14, 1970, which passed about 9 miles west-southwest of town. The most recent was an EF1 on October 3, 2023, which touched down about 22 miles northeast of town.
Hail: 501 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 69 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.50-inch hail on May 25, 1965.
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 Clayton'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.
Clayton radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Clayton, KS?
KGLD (Goodland, KS), about 85 miles west-southwest. KUEX (Hastings, NE) is 100 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Clayton?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Clayton the lowest scan from KGLD is about 7,500 ft up, so light snow from shallow clouds can be under-shown — check NWS winter alerts too.
Is TALON's radar for Clayton 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 Clayton, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Norton, KS radar 17 mi
- Oberlin, KS radar 20 mi
- Hoxie, KS radar 30 mi
- Hill City, KS radar 31 mi
- Phillipsburg, KS radar 45 mi
- Atwood, KS radar 46 mi
- WaKeeney, KS radar 52 mi
- Colby, KS radar 52 mi
- Stockton, KS radar 53 mi
- Oakley, KS radar 55 mi