Lancaster, KS Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Lancaster, Atchison County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Lancaster?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged river or areal flooding on 42 days in the Atchison forecast zone and Atchison County — the most common reported hazard around Lancaster, mostly in May and June. Next come damaging thunderstorm winds (42 days) and heavy snow & winter storms (24 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flooding | 42 | Jun 2019 | Jun 19, 2001 · $260,000 damage |
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 42 | Jun 2025 | Feb 25, 2000 · $30,000 damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 24 | Jan 2026 | Jan 30, 2002 · $200,000 damage |
| Excessive heat | 14 | Aug 2023 | — |
| Flash flooding | 11 | May 2019 | — |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 9 | Feb 2025 | — |
| Ice storms & sleet | 6 | Feb 2019 | Dec 10, 2007 · $50,000 damage |
| Blizzards | 4 | Nov 2018 | — |
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 Atchison forecast zone and Atchison County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Lancaster get?
A normal year brings about 16 inches of snow to Lancaster, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Effingham weather station 5.7 miles away. The snowiest month is usually February (5.2 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.3 | 0.3 | 4.8 | 4.1 | 5.2 | 1.2 | 0.4 | 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 Lancaster?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KTWX (Topeka, KS), about 64 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 Lancaster | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KTWX Topeka, KS | 64 mi southwest | 4,900 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KEAX Kansas City, MO | 77 mi southeast | 6,500 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KOAX Omaha, NE | 133 mi north-northwest | 15,000 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 Lancaster
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 111 tornadoes within 25 miles of Lancaster, 32 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in May and April. The strongest was an F4 on May 19, 1960, which passed about 25 miles south-southwest of town and caused 1 death. The most recent was a tornado of unknown strength on April 27, 2024, which passed about 22 miles north-northwest of town.
Hail: 441 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 46 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 Lancaster'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.
Lancaster radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Lancaster, KS?
KTWX (Topeka, KS), about 64 miles southwest. KEAX (Kansas City, MO) is 77 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Lancaster?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Lancaster the lowest scan from KTWX is about 4,900 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Lancaster 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 Lancaster, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Atchison, KS radar 9 mi
- Horton, KS radar 14 mi
- Valley Falls, KS radar 18 mi
- Hiawatha, KS radar 23 mi
- Holton, KS radar 24 mi
- Wathena, KS radar 24 mi
- Oskaloosa, KS radar 25 mi
- Elwood, KS radar 25 mi
- Leavenworth, KS radar 27 mi
- Lansing, KS radar 31 mi