Hays, KS Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Hays, Ellis County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Hays?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 135 days in the Ellis forecast zone and Ellis County — the most common reported hazard around Hays, mostly in June and July. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (42 days) and high winds (31 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 135 | Sep 2025 | Aug 23, 2010 · $1.5 million damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 42 | Jan 2026 | — |
| High winds | 31 | Mar 2026 | Mar 31, 1998 · $10,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 22 | May 2021 | Sep 4, 2016 · $100,000 damage |
| Flooding | 20 | Mar 2021 | Jun 13, 2007 · $12,000 damage |
| Blizzards | 12 | Mar 2025 | — |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 7 | Aug 2010 | Nov 22, 1999 · 1 death |
| Ice storms & sleet | 4 | Jan 2020 | — |
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 Ellis forecast zone and Ellis County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Hays get?
A normal year brings about 13 inches of snow to Hays, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Hays weather station 1.1 miles away. The snowiest month is usually February (3.4 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.2 | 0.9 | 3.2 | 3.2 | 3.4 | 1.7 | 0.3 | 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 Hays?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KDDC (Dodge City, KS), about 85 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 Hays | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KDDC Dodge City, KS | 85 mi south-southwest | 7,500 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KUEX Hastings, NE | 110 mi north-northeast | 11,100 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KGLD Goodland, KS | 132 mi west-northwest | 14,800 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 Hays
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 154 tornadoes within 25 miles of Hays, 32 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in May and April. The strongest was an F3 on May 13, 1968, which passed about 13 miles north-northwest of town. The most recent was an EF1 on May 19, 2024, which touched down about 23 miles east of town.
Hail: 674 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 77 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 6.00-inch hail on May 27, 1962.
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 Hays'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.
Hays radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Hays, KS?
KDDC (Dodge City, KS), about 85 miles south-southwest. KUEX (Hastings, NE) is 110 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Hays?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Hays the lowest scan from KDDC is about 7,500 ft up, so light snow from shallow clouds can be under-shown — check NWS winter alerts too.
Is TALON's radar for Hays 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 Hays, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Victoria, KS radar 10 mi
- Ellis, KS radar 13 mi
- La Crosse, KS radar 24 mi
- Plainville, KS radar 24 mi
- Russell, KS radar 25 mi
- WaKeeney, KS radar 32 mi
- Stockton, KS radar 38 mi
- Hoisington, KS radar 39 mi
- Ness City, KS radar 43 mi
- Hill City, KS radar 44 mi