Emporia, KS Live Doppler Radar

Live radar for Emporia, Lyon County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.

Open live radar for EmporiaWhat TALON shows

What weather hits Emporia?

Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 125 days in the Lyon forecast zone and Lyon County — the most common reported hazard around Emporia, mostly in June and August. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (46 days) and flash flooding (45 days).

HazardDays reportedMost recentWorst on record
Damaging thunderstorm winds125Jun 2026Aug 25, 2014 · 1 death
Heavy snow & winter storms46Jan 2026Jan 29, 2002 · $1.0 million damage
Flash flooding45Jun 2025Jul 10, 2015 · 1 death
Flooding26Jul 2024Jun 12, 2005 · $500,000 damage
Excessive heat21Jun 2012Jul 15, 1999 · 1 death
High winds18Mar 2023May 19, 1998 · $22,000 damage
Extreme cold & wind chill8Dec 2022Apr 4, 2007 · $100,000 damage
Ice storms & sleet6Nov 2015Jan 5, 2002 · 1 death

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 Lyon forecast zone and Lyon County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.

Which radars cover Emporia?

The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KTWX (Topeka, KS), about 41 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.

RadarDistanceLowest beam over EmporiaView
KTWX
Topeka, KS		41 mi north2,700 ftExcellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground
KICT
Wichita, KS		86 mi southwest7,600 ftFair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation
KEAX
Kansas City, MO		108 mi east-northeast10,800 ftLimited — 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 Emporia

Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 95 tornadoes within 25 miles of Emporia, 18 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in May and April. The strongest was an F4 on June 8, 1974, which passed about 2 miles northwest of town and caused 6 deaths. The most recent was a tornado of unknown strength on June 28, 2024, which touched down about 16 miles northeast of town.

Hail: 507 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 56 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.50-inch hail on July 4, 1992.

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 Emporia'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.

Emporia radar FAQ

Where is the nearest weather radar to Emporia, KS?

KTWX (Topeka, KS), about 41 miles north. KICT (Wichita, KS) is 86 miles away and also covers the area.

Does radar show snow in Emporia?

Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Emporia the lowest scan from KTWX is about 2,700 ft up.

Is TALON's radar for Emporia 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 Emporia, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.

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