Downs, KS Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Downs, Osborne County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Downs?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 70 days in the Osborne forecast zone and Osborne County — the most common reported hazard around Downs, mostly in July and June. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (45 days) and high winds (27 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 70 | Jul 2024 | May 26, 2002 · $3.1 million damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 45 | Jan 2024 | Dec 10, 2007 · $400,000 damage |
| High winds | 27 | Mar 2026 | Oct 11, 2020 · $25,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 13 | May 2021 | May 16, 2021 · $2.0 million damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 11 | Feb 2025 | — |
| Blizzards | 9 | Mar 2025 | Nov 28, 2005 · $20,000 damage |
| Flooding | 7 | Aug 2016 | Jun 2, 2011 · $4.0 million damage |
| Ice storms & sleet | 4 | Jan 2017 | Dec 30, 2006 · $300,000 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 Osborne forecast zone and Osborne County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Downs get?
A normal year brings about 18 inches of snow to Downs, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Cawker City weather station 6.2 miles away. The snowiest month is usually February (5.8 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.3 | 1.6 | 3.5 | 4.5 | 5.8 | 1.7 | 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 Downs?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KUEX (Hastings, NE), about 57 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 Downs | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KUEX Hastings, NE | 57 mi north | 4,200 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KTWX Topeka, KS | 129 mi east-southeast | 14,200 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KICT Wichita, KS | 141 mi south-southeast | 16,500 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 Downs
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 106 tornadoes within 25 miles of Downs, 29 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in May and June. The strongest was an F4 on May 7, 1993, which passed about 19 miles south-southwest of town and caused 1 death. The most recent was a tornado of unknown strength on October 12, 2023, which touched down about 20 miles east of town.
Hail: 474 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 51 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.50-inch hail on June 9, 1967.
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 Downs'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.
Downs radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Downs, KS?
KUEX (Hastings, NE), about 57 miles north. KTWX (Topeka, KS) is 129 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Downs?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Downs the lowest scan from KUEX is about 4,200 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Downs 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 Downs, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
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- Phillipsburg, KS radar 45 mi
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