McPherson, KS Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for McPherson, McPherson County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits McPherson?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 143 days in the McPherson forecast zone and McPherson County — the most common reported hazard around McPherson, mostly in June and May. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (45 days) and flooding (37 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 143 | Jun 2026 | Jun 20, 2009 · 1 death · $15,000 damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 45 | Jan 2026 | Feb 25, 2020 · 1 death |
| Flooding | 37 | Jul 2025 | Nov 1, 1998 · $1.5 million damage |
| High winds | 29 | Mar 2026 | Jun 5, 2014 · $100,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 14 | May 2021 | May 23, 2007 · $61,000 damage |
| Excessive heat | 9 | Aug 2011 | — |
| Ice storms & sleet | 5 | Jan 2017 | Dec 10, 2007 · $9.8 million damage |
| Blizzards | 4 | Jan 2025 | Mar 27, 2009 · $300,000 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 McPherson forecast zone and McPherson County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does McPherson get?
A normal year brings about 14 inches of snow to McPherson, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Mcpherson weather station 3 miles away. The snowiest month is usually January (4.1 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.1 | 0.6 | 2.9 | 4.1 | 3.3 | 2.6 | 0.6 | 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 McPherson?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KICT (Wichita, KS), about 51 miles south-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 McPherson | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KICT Wichita, KS | 51 mi south-southeast | 3,600 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KTWX Topeka, KS | 89 mi east-northeast | 8,000 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KVNX Vance AFB, OK | 115 mi south-southwest | 12,000 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 McPherson
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 101 tornadoes within 25 miles of McPherson, 20 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in May and June. The strongest was an F5 on March 13, 1990, which passed about 20 miles southeast of town and caused 1 death. The most recent was an EF0 on April 29, 2022, which touched down about 18 miles east of town.
Hail: 553 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 63 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.00-inch hail on July 23, 2013.
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 McPherson'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.
McPherson radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to McPherson, KS?
KICT (Wichita, KS), about 51 miles south-southeast. KTWX (Topeka, KS) is 89 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in McPherson?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over McPherson the lowest scan from KICT is about 3,600 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for McPherson 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 McPherson, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Inman, KS radar 11 mi
- Moundridge, KS radar 14 mi
- Lindsborg, KS radar 14 mi
- Buhler, KS radar 17 mi
- Hesston, KS radar 20 mi
- Hutchinson, KS radar 25 mi
- Hillsboro, KS radar 25 mi
- North Newton, KS radar 27 mi
- Halstead, KS radar 27 mi
- Nickerson, KS radar 28 mi