Franklin, KS Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Franklin, Crawford County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Franklin?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 120 days in the Crawford forecast zone and Crawford County — the most common reported hazard around Franklin, mostly in June and May. Next come flash flooding (76 days) and heavy snow & winter storms (27 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 120 | May 2025 | May 8, 2009 · $3.5 million damage |
| Flash flooding | 76 | Jun 2026 | Jul 30, 2013 · $250,000 damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 27 | Jan 2026 | Nov 30, 2006 · $1.6 million damage |
| Flooding | 14 | May 2022 | May 8, 2002 · $315,000 damage |
| Ice storms & sleet | 10 | Feb 2019 | Jan 30, 2002 · $2.0 million damage |
| High winds | 7 | May 2017 | Apr 11, 2001 · $150,000 damage |
| Excessive heat | 7 | Aug 2012 | — |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 6 | Feb 2025 | — |
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 Crawford forecast zone and Crawford County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Franklin get?
A normal year brings about 6.2 inches of snow to Franklin, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Girard weather station 7.9 miles away. The snowiest month is usually January (2.6 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.0 | 0.7 | 1.6 | 2.6 | 0.4 | 0.9 | 0.0 | 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 Franklin?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KSGF (Springfield, MO), about 74 miles east-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 Franklin | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KSGF Springfield, MO | 74 mi east-southeast | 6,100 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KEAX Kansas City, MO | 92 mi north-northeast | 8,500 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KINX Tulsa, OK | 105 mi south-southwest | 10,300 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 Franklin
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 113 tornadoes within 25 miles of Franklin, 28 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in May and April. The strongest was an F4 on May 4, 2003, which crossed near town and caused 4 deaths. The most recent was an EF1 on April 20, 2025, which passed about 19 miles southeast of town.
Hail: 400 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 28 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.50-inch hail on May 6, 2003.
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 Franklin'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.
Franklin radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Franklin, KS?
KSGF (Springfield, MO), about 74 miles east-southeast. KEAX (Kansas City, MO) is 92 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Franklin?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Franklin the lowest scan from KSGF is about 6,100 ft up, so light snow from shallow clouds can be under-shown — check NWS winter alerts too.
Is TALON's radar for Franklin 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 Franklin, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Arma, KS radar 2 mi
- Frontenac, KS radar 4 mi
- Pittsburg, KS radar 7 mi
- Girard, KS radar 8 mi
- Fort Scott, KS radar 21 mi
- Columbus, KS radar 25 mi
- Erie, KS radar 30 mi
- Galena, KS radar 31 mi
- Oswego, KS radar 33 mi
- Parsons, KS radar 34 mi