Olathe, KS Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Olathe, Johnson County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Olathe?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 147 days in the Johnson forecast zone and Johnson County — the most common reported hazard around Olathe, mostly in June and May. Next come flash flooding (61 days) and heavy snow & winter storms (38 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 147 | Jun 2026 | Mar 6, 2017 · $500,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 61 | Jul 2025 | Oct 4, 1998 · 2 deaths · $8.0 million damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 38 | Jan 2026 | Oct 23, 1996 · $500,000 damage |
| Flooding | 21 | Aug 2017 | Jun 23, 1999 · $50,000 damage |
| Excessive heat | 19 | Aug 2023 | — |
| Ice storms & sleet | 10 | Jan 2020 | Jan 30, 2002 · $5.0 million damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 9 | Feb 2025 | — |
| High winds | 8 | Mar 2023 | Mar 8, 2000 · $10,000 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 Johnson forecast zone and Johnson County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Olathe get?
A normal year brings about 14 inches of snow to Olathe, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Olathe 3E weather station 3.2 miles away. The snowiest month is usually January (3.9 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.3 | 1.2 | 3.4 | 3.9 | 3.3 | 1.4 | 0.3 | 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 Olathe?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KEAX (Kansas City, MO), about 30 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 Olathe | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KEAX Kansas City, MO | 30 mi east | 1,900 ft | Excellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground |
| KTWX Topeka, KS | 76 mi west | 6,400 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KSGF Springfield, MO | 138 mi southeast | 15,800 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 Olathe
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 146 tornadoes within 25 miles of Olathe, 34 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in May and June. The strongest was an F5 on May 20, 1957, which passed about 6 miles south-southeast of town and caused 44 deaths. The most recent was an EF0 on June 3, 2025, which touched down about 20 miles east-northeast of town.
Hail: 1,260 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 120 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 5.50-inch hail on September 18, 2010.
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 Olathe'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.
Olathe radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Olathe, KS?
KEAX (Kansas City, MO), about 30 miles east. KTWX (Topeka, KS) is 76 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Olathe?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Olathe the lowest scan from KEAX is about 1,900 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Olathe 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 Olathe, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
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- Overland Park, KS radar 7 mi
- Gardner, KS radar 7 mi
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- De Soto, KS radar 9 mi
- Shawnee, KS radar 9 mi
- Leawood, KS radar 11 mi
- Edgerton, KS radar 11 mi
- Lake Quivira, KS radar 11 mi
- Merriam, KS radar 12 mi