Niles, KS Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Niles, Ottawa County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Niles?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 101 days in the Ottawa forecast zone and Ottawa County — the most common reported hazard around Niles, mostly in July and June. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (42 days) and flash flooding (27 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 101 | Jun 2026 | Jul 9, 2004 · $25,000 damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 42 | Jan 2024 | Dec 7, 1997 · $30,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 27 | Jun 2026 | May 6, 2007 · $50,000 damage |
| Excessive heat | 18 | Jul 2012 | Jul 19, 2010 · $240,000 damage |
| Flooding | 12 | Sep 2025 | Sep 8, 2025 · $3.6 million damage |
| High winds | 11 | Jun 2014 | Mar 23, 1996 · $40,000 damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 10 | Dec 2022 | — |
| Ice storms & sleet | 4 | Jan 2017 | Jan 16, 2003 · 1 death |
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 Ottawa forecast zone and Ottawa County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Niles get?
A normal year brings about 12 inches of snow to Niles, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Abilene weather station 13.5 miles away. The snowiest month is usually January (4.1 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.2 | 1.0 | 2.2 | 4.1 | 2.8 | 1.7 | 0.2 | 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 Niles?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KTWX (Topeka, KS), about 66 miles east. 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 Niles | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KTWX Topeka, KS | 66 mi east | 5,200 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KICT Wichita, KS | 91 mi south | 8,300 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KUEX Hastings, NE | 107 mi north-northwest | 10,700 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 Niles
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 111 tornadoes within 25 miles of Niles, 23 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in May and June. The strongest was an EF4 on May 25, 2016, which passed about 2 miles north-northeast of town. The most recent was a tornado of unknown strength on April 1, 2025, which touched down about 19 miles southwest of town.
Hail: 693 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 79 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 Niles'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.
Niles radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Niles, KS?
KTWX (Topeka, KS), about 66 miles east. KICT (Wichita, KS) is 91 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Niles?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Niles the lowest scan from KTWX is about 5,200 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Niles 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 Niles, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Solomon, KS radar 6 mi
- Abilene, KS radar 13 mi
- Salina, KS radar 14 mi
- Minneapolis, KS radar 17 mi
- Chapman, KS radar 23 mi
- Lindsborg, KS radar 29 mi
- Junction City, KS radar 33 mi
- Clay Center, KS radar 34 mi
- Grandview Plaza, KS radar 36 mi
- Lincoln Center, KS radar 37 mi