Palmer, KS Live Doppler Radar

Live radar for Palmer, Washington County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.

Open live radar for PalmerWhat TALON shows

What weather hits Palmer?

Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 69 days in the Washington forecast zone and Washington County — the most common reported hazard around Palmer, mostly in June and May. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (49 days) and excessive heat (15 days).

HazardDays reportedMost recentWorst on record
Damaging thunderstorm winds69Aug 2025Aug 16, 1997 · $10,000 damage
Heavy snow & winter storms49Jan 2026Mar 4, 2003 · 2 deaths
Excessive heat15Jun 2012—
Flash flooding12May 2016Jun 9, 2005 · $50,000 damage
Extreme cold & wind chill10Dec 2022Apr 4, 2007 · $100,000 damage
High winds10Mar 2009Mar 23, 2009 · $1,000 damage
Flooding6Apr 2026May 7, 2007 · $600,000 damage
Ice storms & sleet5Jan 2017—

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 Washington forecast zone and Washington County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.

How much snow does Palmer get?

A normal year brings about 9.4 inches of snow to Palmer, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Fact 3W weather station 6.8 miles away. The snowiest month is usually January (3.2 in).

OctNovDecJanFebMarAprMay
0.11.11.63.22.90.30.20.0

Normal snowfall in inches. TALON Pro compares this season's snow at your location with these normals as winter goes on.

Which radars cover Palmer?

The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KTWX (Topeka, KS), about 65 miles southeast. 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.

RadarDistanceLowest beam over PalmerView
KTWX
Topeka, KS		65 mi southeast5,200 ftGood — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly
KUEX
Hastings, NE		84 mi northwest7,400 ftFair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation
KOAX
Omaha, NE		123 mi north-northeast13,300 ftLimited — 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 Palmer

Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 90 tornadoes within 25 miles of Palmer, 17 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in May and June. The strongest was an F4 on May 20, 1957, which passed about 13 miles northwest of town. The most recent was an EF1 on June 7, 2022, which passed about 25 miles north-northwest of town.

Hail: 545 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 75 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.50-inch hail on April 15, 2012.

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 Palmer'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.

Palmer radar FAQ

Where is the nearest weather radar to Palmer, KS?

KTWX (Topeka, KS), about 65 miles southeast. KUEX (Hastings, NE) is 84 miles away and also covers the area.

Does radar show snow in Palmer?

Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Palmer the lowest scan from KTWX is about 5,200 ft up.

Is TALON's radar for Palmer 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 Palmer, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.

Radar for nearby towns

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