Melvern, KS Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Melvern, Osage County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Melvern?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 109 days in the Osage forecast zone and Osage County — the most common reported hazard around Melvern, mostly in August and May. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (48 days) and flash flooding (33 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 109 | Jun 2026 | Jun 29, 1998 · $200,000 damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 48 | Jan 2026 | Feb 1, 2004 · 2 deaths |
| Flash flooding | 33 | Oct 2023 | May 6, 2007 · $600,000 damage |
| Excessive heat | 21 | Jun 2012 | — |
| Flooding | 18 | Jul 2024 | May 6, 2007 · $750,000 damage |
| High winds | 12 | Jun 2016 | Mar 31, 2008 · $200,000 damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 7 | Dec 2022 | — |
| Ice storms & sleet | 7 | Dec 2008 | Feb 27, 2001 · 3 deaths |
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 Osage forecast zone and Osage County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Melvern get?
A normal year brings about 10 inches of snow to Melvern, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Osage City weather station 12.6 miles away. The snowiest month is usually February (3.7 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.1 | 0.6 | 2.0 | 2.4 | 3.7 | 1.5 | 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 Melvern?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KTWX (Topeka, KS), about 47 miles northwest. 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 Melvern | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KTWX Topeka, KS | 47 mi northwest | 3,200 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KEAX Kansas City, MO | 77 mi east-northeast | 6,500 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KICT Wichita, KS | 115 mi west-southwest | 11,800 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 Melvern
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 99 tornadoes within 25 miles of Melvern, 21 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in May and June. The strongest was an F5 on May 20, 1957, which passed about 8 miles east-southeast of town and caused 44 deaths. The most recent was a tornado of unknown strength on June 28, 2024, which touched down about 20 miles west-northwest of town.
Hail: 618 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 83 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 Melvern'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.
Melvern radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Melvern, KS?
KTWX (Topeka, KS), about 47 miles northwest. KEAX (Kansas City, MO) is 77 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Melvern?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Melvern the lowest scan from KTWX is about 3,200 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Melvern 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 Melvern, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
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- Osage City, KS radar 13 mi
- Ottawa, KS radar 21 mi
- Carbondale, KS radar 22 mi
- Burlington, KS radar 22 mi
- Garnett, KS radar 26 mi
- Auburn, KS radar 29 mi
- Baldwin City, KS radar 31 mi
- Emporia, KS radar 31 mi
- Wellsville, KS radar 34 mi