Mentor, KS Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Mentor, Saline County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Mentor?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 110 days in the Saline forecast zone and Saline County — the most common reported hazard around Mentor, mostly in June and July. Next come high winds (39 days) and heavy snow & winter storms (35 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 110 | Jun 2026 | Aug 10, 2009 · $398,000 damage |
| High winds | 39 | May 2026 | Mar 23, 2009 · $200,000 damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 35 | Jan 2026 | Jan 11, 2018 · $400,000 damage |
| Flooding | 29 | Jul 2025 | May 24, 2007 · $6.5 million damage |
| Flash flooding | 19 | Sep 2025 | Aug 8, 2019 · $200,000 damage |
| Excessive heat | 10 | Aug 2011 | Jul 16, 2010 · $500,000 damage |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 6 | May 2012 | Jun 13, 2010 · $40,000 damage |
| Ice storms & sleet | 5 | 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 Saline forecast zone and Saline County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Mentor get?
A normal year brings about 14 inches of snow to Mentor, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Lindsborg 3E weather station 10.7 miles away. The snowiest month is usually January (4.0 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.3 | 1.5 | 3.0 | 4.0 | 3.4 | 1.6 | 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 Mentor?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KICT (Wichita, KS), about 76 miles south. 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 Mentor | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KICT Wichita, KS | 76 mi south | 6,300 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KTWX Topeka, KS | 76 mi east-northeast | 6,300 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KUEX Hastings, NE | 118 mi north-northwest | 12,400 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 Mentor
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 108 tornadoes within 25 miles of Mentor, 22 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in May and June. The strongest was an F4 on June 15, 1992, which passed about 20 miles south of town. The most recent was a tornado of unknown strength on April 1, 2025, which touched down about 20 miles west of town.
Hail: 607 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 68 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.50-inch hail on June 1, 2011.
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 Mentor'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.
Mentor radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Mentor, KS?
KICT (Wichita, KS), about 76 miles south. KTWX (Topeka, KS) is 76 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Mentor?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Mentor the lowest scan from KICT is about 6,300 ft up, so light snow from shallow clouds can be under-shown — check NWS winter alerts too.
Is TALON's radar for Mentor 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 Mentor, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Salina, KS radar 5 mi
- Lindsborg, KS radar 12 mi
- Solomon, KS radar 18 mi
- Abilene, KS radar 24 mi
- McPherson, KS radar 26 mi
- Minneapolis, KS radar 27 mi
- Ellsworth, KS radar 34 mi
- Hillsboro, KS radar 34 mi
- Chapman, KS radar 35 mi
- Lincoln Center, KS radar 36 mi