Kiowa, KS Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Kiowa, Barber County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Kiowa?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 120 days in the Barber forecast zone and Barber County — the most common reported hazard around Kiowa, mostly in June and May. Next come high winds (49 days) and heavy snow & winter storms (33 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 120 | Apr 2026 | May 24, 1998 · $500,000 damage |
| High winds | 49 | Mar 2026 | Apr 16, 2003 · $5,000 damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 33 | Jan 2025 | — |
| Flooding | 9 | Sep 2017 | Sep 12, 2009 · $10,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 8 | May 2023 | — |
| Ice storms & sleet | 7 | Jan 2017 | — |
| Blizzards | 5 | Feb 2013 | — |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 3 | Dec 2016 | Dec 18, 2016 · 1 death |
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 Barber forecast zone and Barber County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
Which radars cover Kiowa?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KVNX (Vance AFB, OK), about 27 miles southeast. 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 Kiowa | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KVNX Vance AFB, OK | 27 mi southeast | 1,600 ft | Excellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground |
| KICT Wichita, KS | 72 mi northeast | 5,900 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KDDC Dodge City, KS | 96 mi west-northwest | 9,100 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
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 Kiowa
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 98 tornadoes within 25 miles of Kiowa, 15 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in May and April. The strongest was an F4 on April 17, 1976, which passed about 4 miles northwest of town. The most recent was an EF0 on June 7, 2025, which touched down about 8 miles southwest of town.
Hail: 429 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 July 9, 2003.
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 Kiowa'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.
Kiowa radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Kiowa, KS?
KVNX (Vance AFB, OK), about 27 miles southeast. KICT (Wichita, KS) is 72 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Kiowa?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Kiowa the lowest scan from KVNX is about 1,600 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Kiowa 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 Kiowa, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Medicine Lodge, KS radar 19 mi
- Anthony, KS radar 26 mi
- Harper, KS radar 31 mi
- Kingman, KS radar 48 mi
- Caldwell, KS radar 48 mi
- Pratt, KS radar 50 mi
- Conway Springs, KS radar 53 mi
- Cheney, KS radar 58 mi
- Wellington, KS radar 62 mi