Ottawa, KS Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Ottawa, Franklin County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Ottawa?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 104 days in the Franklin forecast zone and Franklin County — the most common reported hazard around Ottawa, mostly in June and July. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (49 days) and flash flooding (29 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 104 | Apr 2026 | Aug 26, 1998 · $3.3 million damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 49 | Jan 2026 | Jan 29, 2002 · $1.0 million damage |
| Flash flooding | 29 | Jul 2024 | Nov 1, 1998 · $2.5 million damage |
| Excessive heat | 21 | Jun 2012 | — |
| Flooding | 20 | Jun 2025 | Jul 1, 2007 · 1 death · $300,000 damage |
| High winds | 13 | Mar 2023 | Jun 9, 2011 · $20,000 damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 7 | Dec 2022 | — |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 6 | Apr 2007 | Feb 26, 1996 · $100,000 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 Franklin forecast zone and Franklin County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Ottawa get?
A normal year brings about 9.2 inches of snow to Ottawa, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Ottawa weather station 1.3 miles away. The snowiest month is usually January (3.2 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.1 | 0.5 | 2.6 | 3.2 | 2.1 | 0.7 | 0.0 | 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 Ottawa?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KEAX (Kansas City, MO), about 56 miles east-northeast. 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 Ottawa | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KEAX Kansas City, MO | 56 mi east-northeast | 4,100 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KTWX Topeka, KS | 59 mi west-northwest | 4,500 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KICT Wichita, KS | 135 mi west-southwest | 15,400 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 Ottawa
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 104 tornadoes within 25 miles of Ottawa, 28 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in May and June. The strongest was an F5 on May 20, 1957, which passed about 2 miles south-southeast of town and caused 44 deaths. The most recent was an EF1 on May 19, 2024, which touched down about 22 miles northeast of town.
Hail: 616 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 72 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 5.00-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 Ottawa'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.
Ottawa radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Ottawa, KS?
KEAX (Kansas City, MO), about 56 miles east-northeast. KTWX (Topeka, KS) is 59 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Ottawa?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Ottawa the lowest scan from KEAX is about 4,100 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Ottawa 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 Ottawa, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
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