Cottonwood Falls, KS Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Cottonwood Falls, Chase County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Cottonwood Falls?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 68 days in the Chase forecast zone and Chase County — the most common reported hazard around Cottonwood Falls, mostly in June and May. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (31 days) and flash flooding (13 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 68 | Jun 2026 | May 8, 2003 · $380,000 damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 31 | Jan 2026 | Mar 27, 2009 · $30,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 13 | Sep 2023 | Aug 30, 2003 · 6 deaths · $250,000 damage |
| High winds | 12 | Mar 2026 | Mar 23, 2009 · $5,000 damage |
| Flooding | 11 | May 2019 | Nov 1, 1998 · $2.0 million damage |
| Excessive heat | 10 | Aug 2011 | — |
| Blizzards | 2 | Jan 2025 | — |
| Ice storms & sleet | 2 | Nov 2015 | Dec 10, 2007 · $1.9 million damage |
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 Chase forecast zone and Chase County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Cottonwood Falls get?
A normal year brings about 11 inches of snow to Cottonwood Falls, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Cottonwood Falls weather station in town. The snowiest month is usually January (4.0 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.3 | 0.4 | 3.1 | 4.0 | 1.3 | 1.3 | 0.2 | 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 Cottonwood Falls?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KTWX (Topeka, KS), about 47 miles north-northeast. 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 Cottonwood Falls | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KTWX Topeka, KS | 47 mi north-northeast | 3,200 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KICT Wichita, KS | 70 mi southwest | 5,600 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KEAX Kansas City, MO | 127 mi east-northeast | 13,900 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 Cottonwood Falls
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 114 tornadoes within 25 miles of Cottonwood Falls, 25 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in May and April. The strongest was an F4 on June 8, 1974, which passed about 18 miles east-northeast of town and caused 6 deaths. The most recent was an EF1 on April 19, 2023, which touched down about 11 miles west-southwest of town.
Hail: 458 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 55 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.00-inch hail on April 19, 2023.
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 Cottonwood Falls'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.
Cottonwood Falls radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Cottonwood Falls, KS?
KTWX (Topeka, KS), about 47 miles north-northeast. KICT (Wichita, KS) is 70 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Cottonwood Falls?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Cottonwood Falls the lowest scan from KTWX is about 3,200 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Cottonwood Falls 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 Cottonwood Falls, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
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