Lorraine, KS Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Lorraine, Ellsworth County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Lorraine?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 102 days in the Ellsworth forecast zone and Ellsworth County — the most common reported hazard around Lorraine, mostly in June and May. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (40 days) and high winds (34 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 102 | Jun 2026 | Jun 11, 2002 · $500,000 damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 40 | Jan 2026 | Feb 3, 2014 · $250,000 damage |
| High winds | 34 | Mar 2026 | Mar 23, 2009 · $40,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 15 | Sep 2025 | May 23, 2007 · $4.5 million damage |
| Flooding | 12 | May 2024 | Sep 4, 2018 · $200 damage |
| Excessive heat | 8 | Aug 2011 | — |
| Blizzards | 5 | Mar 2025 | — |
| Ice storms & sleet | 4 | Jan 2017 | Dec 10, 2007 · $9.8 million 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 Ellsworth forecast zone and Ellsworth County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Lorraine get?
A normal year brings about 15 inches of snow to Lorraine, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Geneseo weather station 8.7 miles away. The snowiest month is usually December (4.0 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.2 | 1.1 | 4.0 | 3.9 | 3.3 | 2.2 | 0.5 | 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 Lorraine?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KICT (Wichita, KS), about 79 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 Lorraine | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KICT Wichita, KS | 79 mi southeast | 6,800 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KDDC Dodge City, KS | 106 mi west-southwest | 10,500 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KTWX Topeka, KS | 116 mi east-northeast | 12,100 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 Lorraine
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 142 tornadoes within 25 miles of Lorraine, 17 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in May and June. The strongest was an F4 on April 21, 2001, which passed about 24 miles west of town and caused 1 death. The most recent was a tornado of unknown strength on April 1, 2025, which touched down about 21 miles east-northeast of town.
Hail: 608 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 77 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.50-inch hail on June 13, 2000.
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 Lorraine'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.
Lorraine radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Lorraine, KS?
KICT (Wichita, KS), about 79 miles southeast. KDDC (Dodge City, KS) is 106 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Lorraine?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Lorraine the lowest scan from KICT is about 6,800 ft up, so light snow from shallow clouds can be under-shown — check NWS winter alerts too.
Is TALON's radar for Lorraine 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 Lorraine, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Ellsworth, KS radar 12 mi
- Lyons, KS radar 17 mi
- Ellinwood, KS radar 21 mi
- Hoisington, KS radar 25 mi
- Sterling, KS radar 26 mi
- Great Bend, KS radar 30 mi
- Nickerson, KS radar 32 mi
- Lincoln Center, KS radar 34 mi
- Lindsborg, KS radar 35 mi
- Russell, KS radar 36 mi