Ellsworth, KS Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Ellsworth, Ellsworth County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Ellsworth?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 102 days in the Ellsworth forecast zone and Ellsworth County — the most common reported hazard around Ellsworth, mostly in June and May. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (40 days) and high winds (34 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 102 | Jun 2026 | Jun 11, 2002 · $500,000 damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 40 | Jan 2026 | Feb 3, 2014 · $250,000 damage |
| High winds | 34 | Mar 2026 | Mar 23, 2009 · $40,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 15 | Sep 2025 | May 23, 2007 · $4.5 million damage |
| Flooding | 12 | May 2024 | Sep 4, 2018 · $200 damage |
| Excessive heat | 8 | Aug 2011 | — |
| Blizzards | 5 | Mar 2025 | — |
| Ice storms & sleet | 4 | Jan 2017 | Dec 10, 2007 · $9.8 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 Ellsworth forecast zone and Ellsworth County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Ellsworth get?
A normal year brings about 16 inches of snow to Ellsworth, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Ellsworth weather station in town. The snowiest month is usually February (4.7 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.4 | 1.2 | 4.4 | 3.8 | 4.7 | 1.3 | 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 Ellsworth?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KICT (Wichita, KS), about 86 miles south-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 Ellsworth | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KICT Wichita, KS | 86 mi south-southeast | 7,600 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KTWX Topeka, KS | 109 mi east | 11,000 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KUEX Hastings, NE | 110 mi north | 11,200 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 Ellsworth
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 131 tornadoes within 25 miles of Ellsworth, 17 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in May and June. The strongest was an F4 on May 7, 1993, which passed about 20 miles northwest of town and caused 1 death. The most recent was a tornado of unknown strength on April 1, 2025, which touched down about 14 miles east-southeast of town.
Hail: 647 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 71 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 Ellsworth'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.
Ellsworth radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Ellsworth, KS?
KICT (Wichita, KS), about 86 miles south-southeast. KTWX (Topeka, KS) is 109 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Ellsworth?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Ellsworth the lowest scan from KICT is about 7,600 ft up, so light snow from shallow clouds can be under-shown — check NWS winter alerts too.
Is TALON's radar for Ellsworth 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 Ellsworth, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
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