Hiawatha, KS Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Hiawatha, Brown County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Hiawatha?
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 Hiawatha, 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 Hiawatha get?
A normal year brings about 17 inches of snow to Hiawatha, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Hiawatha 1 S weather station 1.2 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 Hiawatha?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KTWX (Topeka, KS), about 70 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 Hiawatha | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KTWX Topeka, KS | 70 mi south-southwest | 5,600 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KEAX Kansas City, MO | 99 mi southeast | 9,500 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KOAX Omaha, NE | 110 mi north-northwest | 11,200 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 Hiawatha
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 126 tornadoes within 25 miles of Hiawatha, 27 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in May and June. The strongest was an F3 on May 5, 1950, which crossed near town. The most recent was a tornado of unknown strength on April 27, 2024, which passed about 6 miles east-northeast of town.
Hail: 401 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 53 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 Hiawatha'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.
Hiawatha radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Hiawatha, KS?
KTWX (Topeka, KS), about 70 miles south-southwest. KEAX (Kansas City, MO) is 99 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Hiawatha?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Hiawatha the lowest scan from KTWX is about 5,600 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Hiawatha 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 Hiawatha, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
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