Gem, KS Live Doppler Radar

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

What weather hits Gem?

Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 147 days in the Thomas forecast zone and Thomas County — the most common reported hazard around Gem, mostly in June and July. Next come high winds (86 days) and heavy snow & winter storms (36 days).

HazardDays reportedMost recentWorst on record
Damaging thunderstorm winds147Jun 2026Jul 1, 2024 · $100,000 damage
High winds86Jun 2026May 26, 2012 · $174,000 damage
Heavy snow & winter storms36Feb 2025Mar 7, 2011 · 1 death · $15,000 damage
Dust storms22Apr 2026Jan 16, 2014 · 3 deaths
Flash flooding19Jun 2026Aug 4, 2011 · $20,000 damage
Blizzards15Mar 2025—
Extreme cold & wind chill13Jan 2024—
Flooding8Aug 2025Sep 7, 2009 · $145,000 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 Thomas forecast zone and Thomas County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.

How much snow does Gem get?

A normal year brings about 17 inches of snow to Gem, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Rexford weather station 8.7 miles away. The snowiest month is usually February (4.3 in).

OctNovDecJanFebMarAprMay
1.01.93.62.84.31.91.80.1

Normal snowfall in inches. TALON Pro compares this season's snow at your location with these normals as winter goes on.

Which radars cover Gem?

The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KGLD (Goodland, KS), about 43 miles west. 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 GemView
KGLD
Goodland, KS
43 mi west2,900 ftExcellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground
KDDC
Dodge City, KS
126 mi south-southeast13,700 ftLimited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms
KUEX
Hastings, NE
144 mi east-northeast17,000 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 Gem

Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 100 tornadoes within 25 miles of Gem, 11 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in May and June. The strongest was an F3 on June 14, 1970, which passed about 20 miles east of town. The most recent was an EF3 on May 18, 2025, which passed about 24 miles southeast of town.

Hail: 576 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 78 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.25-inch hail on July 12, 2010.

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 Gem'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.

Gem radar FAQ

Where is the nearest weather radar to Gem, KS?

KGLD (Goodland, KS), about 43 miles west. KDDC (Dodge City, KS) is 126 miles away and also covers the area.

Does radar show snow in Gem?

Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Gem the lowest scan from KGLD is about 2,900 ft up.

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

Radar for nearby towns

All Kansas towns →