Dorrance, KS Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Dorrance, Russell County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Dorrance?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 161 days in the Russell forecast zone and Russell County — the most common reported hazard around Dorrance, mostly in June and July. Next come high winds (55 days) and heavy snow & winter storms (33 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 161 | Jun 2026 | Jul 3, 2024 · 1 death |
| High winds | 55 | Mar 2026 | Apr 11, 2001 · $750,000 damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 33 | Jan 2026 | Jan 4, 2005 · $30 million damage |
| Flash flooding | 15 | May 2026 | Sep 11, 2008 · $10,000 damage |
| Flooding | 15 | Jun 2022 | Sep 4, 2018 · $100,000 damage |
| Excessive heat | 7 | Aug 2011 | — |
| Blizzards | 5 | Mar 2025 | — |
| Ice storms & sleet | 4 | Jan 2017 | Dec 23, 2009 · 1 death · $20,000 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 Russell forecast zone and Russell County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Dorrance get?
A normal year brings about 9.6 inches of snow to Dorrance, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Wilson Lake weather station 9.9 miles away. The snowiest month is usually February (3.7 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.1 | 0.4 | 2.5 | 1.8 | 3.7 | 0.7 | 0.4 | 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 Dorrance?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KUEX (Hastings, NE), about 102 miles north. 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 Dorrance | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KUEX Hastings, NE | 102 mi north | 9,900 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KICT Wichita, KS | 103 mi southeast | 10,100 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KDDC Dodge City, KS | 106 mi southwest | 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 Dorrance
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 170 tornadoes within 25 miles of Dorrance, 17 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in May and July. The strongest was an F4 on April 21, 2001, which passed about 21 miles south-southwest of town and caused 1 death. The most recent was an EF1 on May 19, 2024, which touched down about 16 miles west-northwest of town.
Hail: 720 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 81 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.50-inch hail on May 11, 2002.
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 Dorrance'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.
Dorrance radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Dorrance, KS?
KUEX (Hastings, NE), about 102 miles north. KICT (Wichita, KS) is 103 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Dorrance?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Dorrance the lowest scan from KUEX is about 9,900 ft up, so light snow from shallow clouds can be under-shown — check NWS winter alerts too.
Is TALON's radar for Dorrance 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 Dorrance, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
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