Norcatur, KS Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Norcatur, Decatur County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Norcatur?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 96 days in the Decatur forecast zone and Decatur County — the most common reported hazard around Norcatur, mostly in June and July. Next come high winds (48 days) and heavy snow & winter storms (34 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 96 | May 2026 | May 31, 1999 · $300,000 damage |
| High winds | 48 | Mar 2026 | Feb 25, 1998 · $50,000 damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 34 | Jan 2024 | Dec 29, 2006 · $2.7 million damage |
| Blizzards | 13 | Mar 2025 | — |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 12 | Jan 2024 | — |
| Flash flooding | 11 | Aug 2019 | — |
| Dust storms | 10 | May 2025 | — |
| Flooding | 5 | Jun 2023 | Jul 30, 1998 · $5,000 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 Decatur forecast zone and Decatur County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Norcatur get?
A normal year brings about 17 inches of snow to Norcatur, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Norcatur 3Wsw weather station 3.2 miles away. The snowiest month is usually February (4.5 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.6 | 1.8 | 2.6 | 3.5 | 4.5 | 1.8 | 0.8 | 0.3 |
Normal snowfall in inches. TALON Pro compares this season's snow at your location with these normals as winter goes on.
Which radars cover Norcatur?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KGLD (Goodland, KS), about 87 miles west-southwest. 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 Norcatur | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KGLD Goodland, KS | 87 mi west-southwest | 7,800 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KUEX Hastings, NE | 98 mi east-northeast | 9,400 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KDDC Dodge City, KS | 144 mi south | 17,000 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 Norcatur
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 92 tornadoes within 25 miles of Norcatur, 13 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in June and May. The strongest was an F3 on June 14, 1970, which passed about 13 miles south-southwest of town. The most recent was an EF1 on October 3, 2023, which touched down about 17 miles northeast of town.
Hail: 495 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 70 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.50-inch hail on May 8, 2003.
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 Norcatur'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.
Norcatur radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Norcatur, KS?
KGLD (Goodland, KS), about 87 miles west-southwest. KUEX (Hastings, NE) is 98 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Norcatur?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Norcatur the lowest scan from KGLD is about 7,800 ft up, so light snow from shallow clouds can be under-shown — check NWS winter alerts too.
Is TALON's radar for Norcatur 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 Norcatur, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Norton, KS radar 16 mi
- Oberlin, KS radar 18 mi
- Hoxie, KS radar 36 mi
- Hill City, KS radar 37 mi
- Atwood, KS radar 45 mi
- Phillipsburg, KS radar 46 mi
- Colby, KS radar 55 mi
- Stockton, KS radar 56 mi
- WaKeeney, KS radar 58 mi
- Oakley, KS radar 60 mi