Olpe, KS Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Olpe, Lyon County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Olpe?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 125 days in the Lyon forecast zone and Lyon County — the most common reported hazard around Olpe, mostly in June and August. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (46 days) and flash flooding (45 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 125 | Jun 2026 | Aug 25, 2014 · 1 death |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 46 | Jan 2026 | Jan 29, 2002 · $1.0 million damage |
| Flash flooding | 45 | Jun 2025 | Jul 10, 2015 · 1 death |
| Flooding | 26 | Jul 2024 | Jun 12, 2005 · $500,000 damage |
| Excessive heat | 21 | Jun 2012 | Jul 15, 1999 · 1 death |
| High winds | 18 | Mar 2023 | May 19, 1998 · $22,000 damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 8 | Dec 2022 | Apr 4, 2007 · $100,000 damage |
| Ice storms & sleet | 6 | Nov 2015 | Jan 5, 2002 · 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 Lyon forecast zone and Lyon County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Olpe get?
A normal year brings about 11 inches of snow to Olpe, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Madison weather station 9 miles away. The snowiest month is usually December (3.1 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.2 | 0.8 | 3.1 | 3.0 | 2.5 | 1.2 | 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 Olpe?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KTWX (Topeka, KS), about 51 miles north. 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 Olpe | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KTWX Topeka, KS | 51 mi north | 3,600 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KICT Wichita, KS | 81 mi west-southwest | 7,100 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KEAX Kansas City, MO | 109 mi east-northeast | 11,000 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 Olpe
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 103 tornadoes within 25 miles of Olpe, 23 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in May and April. The strongest was an F4 on June 8, 1974, which passed about 11 miles north-northwest of town and caused 6 deaths. The most recent was a tornado of unknown strength on June 28, 2024, which touched down about 23 miles north-northeast of town.
Hail: 450 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 54 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.50-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 Olpe'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.
Olpe radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Olpe, KS?
KTWX (Topeka, KS), about 51 miles north. KICT (Wichita, KS) is 81 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Olpe?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Olpe the lowest scan from KTWX is about 3,600 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Olpe 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 Olpe, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
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