Holton, KS Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Holton, Jackson County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Holton?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 70 days in the Jackson forecast zone and Jackson County — the most common reported hazard around Holton, mostly in June and July. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (51 days) and excessive heat (20 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 70 | Jun 2026 | Jun 20, 2006 · $40,000 damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 51 | Jan 2026 | — |
| Excessive heat | 20 | Jul 2012 | — |
| Flash flooding | 20 | Jun 2026 | Feb 24, 2001 · 1 death |
| High winds | 12 | Jan 2019 | Mar 8, 2002 · $202,000 damage |
| Flooding | 9 | Jun 2015 | Oct 2, 2005 · $290,000 damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 8 | Dec 2022 | Apr 4, 2007 · $100,000 damage |
| Ice storms & sleet | 7 | 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 Jackson forecast zone and Jackson County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
Which radars cover Holton?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KTWX (Topeka, KS), about 42 miles 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 Holton | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KTWX Topeka, KS | 42 mi southwest | 2,800 ft | Excellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground |
| KEAX Kansas City, MO | 91 mi east-southeast | 8,300 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KOAX Omaha, NE | 132 mi north-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 Holton
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 127 tornadoes within 25 miles of Holton, 38 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in May and April. The strongest was an F4 on May 19, 1960, which passed about 18 miles south of town and caused 1 death. The most recent was a tornado of unknown strength on April 30, 2024, which touched down about 22 miles southwest of town.
Hail: 508 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 54 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 Holton'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.
Holton radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Holton, KS?
KTWX (Topeka, KS), about 42 miles southwest. KEAX (Kansas City, MO) is 91 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Holton?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Holton the lowest scan from KTWX is about 2,800 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Holton 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 Holton, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Valley Falls, KS radar 17 mi
- Horton, KS radar 17 mi
- Rossville, KS radar 26 mi
- St. Marys, KS radar 26 mi
- Silver Lake, KS radar 26 mi
- Hiawatha, KS radar 28 mi
- Oskaloosa, KS radar 28 mi
- Topeka, KS radar 30 mi
- Sabetha, KS radar 31 mi
- Seneca, KS radar 31 mi