Lafontaine, KS Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Lafontaine, Wilson County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Lafontaine?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 70 days in the Wilson forecast zone and Wilson County — the most common reported hazard around Lafontaine, mostly in June and April. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (27 days) and flash flooding (25 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 70 | May 2026 | May 8, 2009 · 1 death · $510,000 damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 27 | Jan 2026 | Jan 1, 1999 · $300,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 25 | Apr 2024 | Jul 1, 2007 · $22 million damage |
| Flooding | 19 | Apr 2024 | May 7, 2019 · $200 damage |
| Excessive heat | 14 | Jul 2021 | — |
| Ice storms & sleet | 6 | Feb 2019 | — |
| High winds | 3 | Mar 2025 | Dec 13, 2008 · $2,000 damage |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 3 | Jul 2011 | Aug 20, 2005 · $150,000 damage |
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 Wilson forecast zone and Wilson County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Lafontaine get?
A normal year brings about 6.5 inches of snow to Lafontaine, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Fredonia weather station 9.3 miles away. The snowiest month is usually January (2.9 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.0 | 0.0 | 2.3 | 2.9 | 0.8 | 0.4 | 0.1 | 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 Lafontaine?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KINX (Tulsa, OK), about 86 miles south. 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 Lafontaine | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KINX Tulsa, OK | 86 mi south | 7,700 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KICT Wichita, KS | 89 mi west-northwest | 8,100 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KTWX Topeka, KS | 112 mi north | 11,500 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 Lafontaine
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 75 tornadoes within 25 miles of Lafontaine, 19 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in April and May. The strongest was an F3 on March 15, 1982, which passed about 23 miles south-southeast of town and caused 1 death. The most recent was an EF1 on April 27, 2024, which touched down about 24 miles west of town.
Hail: 397 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 51 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.00-inch hail on July 11, 2020.
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 Lafontaine'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.
Lafontaine radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Lafontaine, KS?
KINX (Tulsa, OK), about 86 miles south. KICT (Wichita, KS) is 89 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Lafontaine?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Lafontaine the lowest scan from KINX is about 7,700 ft up, so light snow from shallow clouds can be under-shown — check NWS winter alerts too.
Is TALON's radar for Lafontaine 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 Lafontaine, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Neodesha, KS radar 9 mi
- Fredonia, KS radar 9 mi
- Independence, KS radar 13 mi
- Cherryvale, KS radar 18 mi
- Caney, KS radar 27 mi
- Coffeyville, KS radar 27 mi
- Chanute, KS radar 28 mi
- Parsons, KS radar 32 mi
- Yates Center, KS radar 33 mi
- Altamont, KS radar 34 mi