Clifton, KS Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Clifton, Washington County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Clifton?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 69 days in the Washington forecast zone and Washington County — the most common reported hazard around Clifton, mostly in June and May. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (49 days) and excessive heat (15 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 69 | Aug 2025 | Aug 16, 1997 · $10,000 damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 49 | Jan 2026 | Mar 4, 2003 · 2 deaths |
| Excessive heat | 15 | Jun 2012 | — |
| Flash flooding | 12 | May 2016 | Jun 9, 2005 · $50,000 damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 10 | Dec 2022 | Apr 4, 2007 · $100,000 damage |
| High winds | 10 | Mar 2009 | Mar 23, 2009 · $1,000 damage |
| Flooding | 6 | Apr 2026 | May 7, 2007 · $600,000 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 Washington forecast zone and Washington County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Clifton get?
A normal year brings about 17 inches of snow to Clifton, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Clifton weather station in town. The snowiest month is usually February (5.0 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.2 | 1.7 | 4.0 | 4.1 | 5.0 | 1.2 | 0.5 | 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 Clifton?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KTWX (Topeka, KS), about 69 miles 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 Clifton | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KTWX Topeka, KS | 69 mi southeast | 5,500 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KUEX Hastings, NE | 81 mi northwest | 7,000 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KOAX Omaha, NE | 130 mi north-northeast | 14,500 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 Clifton
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 106 tornadoes within 25 miles of Clifton, 21 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in May and June. The strongest was an F4 on May 20, 1957, which passed about 10 miles northwest of town. The most recent was a tornado of unknown strength on May 9, 2023, which touched down about 20 miles southwest of town.
Hail: 533 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 68 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.50-inch hail on May 9, 1996.
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 Clifton'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.
Clifton radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Clifton, KS?
KTWX (Topeka, KS), about 69 miles southeast. KUEX (Hastings, NE) is 81 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Clifton?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Clifton the lowest scan from KTWX is about 5,500 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Clifton 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 Clifton, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Clay Center, KS radar 15 mi
- Concordia, KS radar 20 mi
- Washington, KS radar 21 mi
- Belleville, KS radar 26 mi
- Minneapolis, KS radar 38 mi
- Marysville, KS radar 39 mi
- Chapman, KS radar 43 mi
- Junction City, KS radar 44 mi
- Ogden, KS radar 44 mi
- Abilene, KS radar 45 mi