Lawrence, KS Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Lawrence, Douglas County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Lawrence?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 137 days in the Douglas forecast zone and Douglas County — the most common reported hazard around Lawrence, mostly in June and July. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (56 days) and flash flooding (47 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 137 | Jun 2026 | Mar 12, 2006 · $8.0 million damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 56 | Jan 2026 | Jan 29, 2002 · $1.0 million damage |
| Flash flooding | 47 | Apr 2026 | Nov 1, 1998 · $2.5 million damage |
| Excessive heat | 22 | Jul 2012 | — |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 20 | Aug 2004 | Sep 21, 1998 · $60,000 damage |
| High winds | 14 | Mar 2023 | Jun 9, 2011 · $5,000 damage |
| Flooding | 13 | Jul 2024 | May 7, 2007 · $255,000 damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 6 | Dec 2022 | Apr 4, 2007 · $500,000 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 Douglas forecast zone and Douglas County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Lawrence get?
A normal year brings about 10 inches of snow to Lawrence, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Lawrence weather station in town. The snowiest month is usually February (3.3 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.3 | 0.9 | 2.9 | 2.1 | 3.3 | 0.8 | 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 Lawrence?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KTWX (Topeka, KS), about 52 miles west. 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 Lawrence | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KTWX Topeka, KS | 52 mi west | 3,700 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KEAX Kansas City, MO | 55 mi east | 4,000 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KICT Wichita, KS | 149 mi southwest | 17,900 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 Lawrence
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 166 tornadoes within 25 miles of Lawrence, 47 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in May and June. The strongest was an F5 on May 20, 1957, which passed about 23 miles south-southeast of town and caused 44 deaths. The most recent was an EF1 on May 19, 2024, which touched down about 21 miles southeast of town.
Hail: 1,116 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 154 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 5.00-inch hail on July 4, 1992.
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 Lawrence'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.
Lawrence radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Lawrence, KS?
KTWX (Topeka, KS), about 52 miles west. KEAX (Kansas City, MO) is 55 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Lawrence?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Lawrence the lowest scan from KTWX is about 3,700 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Lawrence 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 Lawrence, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Eudora, KS radar 9 mi
- Baldwin City, KS radar 13 mi
- Tonganoxie, KS radar 14 mi
- De Soto, KS radar 17 mi
- Oskaloosa, KS radar 18 mi
- Wellsville, KS radar 20 mi
- Edgerton, KS radar 21 mi
- Gardner, KS radar 21 mi
- Basehor, KS radar 22 mi
- Bonner Springs, KS radar 23 mi