Hamlin, KS Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Hamlin, Brown County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Hamlin?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 73 days in the Brown forecast zone and Brown County — the most common reported hazard around Hamlin, mostly in June and August. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (46 days) and flash flooding (21 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 73 | Jun 2026 | Apr 5, 1999 · $150,000 damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 46 | Jan 2024 | Dec 24, 1997 · 1 death |
| Flash flooding | 21 | Jun 2021 | May 6, 2007 · $2.0 million damage |
| Excessive heat | 17 | Jul 2012 | — |
| High winds | 11 | Jan 2019 | Jan 18, 1996 · $25,000 damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 8 | Dec 2022 | — |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 7 | Aug 2007 | Aug 18, 1999 · $20,000 damage |
| Ice storms & sleet | 5 | Dec 2007 | — |
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 Brown forecast zone and Brown County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Hamlin get?
A normal year brings about 17 inches of snow to Hamlin, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Hiawatha 1 S weather station 7.5 miles away. The snowiest month is usually January (4.7 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.0 | 1.2 | 3.6 | 4.7 | 4.1 | 2.2 | 1.1 | 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 Hamlin?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KTWX (Topeka, KS), about 71 miles south-southwest. 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 Hamlin | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KTWX Topeka, KS | 71 mi south-southwest | 5,800 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KOAX Omaha, NE | 105 mi north-northwest | 10,300 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KEAX Kansas City, MO | 106 mi southeast | 10,400 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 Hamlin
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 125 tornadoes within 25 miles of Hamlin, 26 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in May and June. The strongest was an F3 on May 5, 1950, which passed about 7 miles southeast of town. The most recent was a tornado of unknown strength on May 19, 2025, which touched down about 22 miles west-northwest of town.
Hail: 411 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 May 25, 2015.
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 Hamlin'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.
Hamlin radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Hamlin, KS?
KTWX (Topeka, KS), about 71 miles south-southwest. KOAX (Omaha, NE) is 105 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Hamlin?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Hamlin the lowest scan from KTWX is about 5,800 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Hamlin 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 Hamlin, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Hiawatha, KS radar 6 mi
- Sabetha, KS radar 9 mi
- Horton, KS radar 18 mi
- Seneca, KS radar 24 mi
- Holton, KS radar 31 mi
- Atchison, KS radar 36 mi
- Wathena, KS radar 39 mi
- Elwood, KS radar 41 mi
- Valley Falls, KS radar 41 mi
- Oskaloosa, KS radar 51 mi