Paola, KS Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Paola, Miami County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Paola?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 84 days in the Miami forecast zone and Miami County — the most common reported hazard around Paola, mostly in June and July. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (29 days) and flooding (28 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 84 | Jun 2026 | Aug 13, 2010 · $50,000 damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 29 | Jan 2026 | Mar 28, 2009 · $1,000 damage |
| Flooding | 28 | Oct 2018 | Oct 10, 2018 · 1 death |
| Flash flooding | 21 | May 2023 | Aug 22, 2017 · 1 death |
| Excessive heat | 16 | Aug 2023 | Aug 3, 2015 · 1 death |
| Ice storms & sleet | 10 | Feb 2019 | Jan 30, 2002 · $5,000 damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 9 | Feb 2025 | — |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 5 | Jul 2011 | Aug 25, 2004 · $300,000 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 Miami forecast zone and Miami County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Paola get?
A normal year brings about 8.4 inches of snow to Paola, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Osawatomie weather station 7.6 miles away. The snowiest month is usually January (2.9 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.2 | 0.1 | 2.4 | 2.9 | 2.3 | 0.5 | 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 Paola?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KEAX (Kansas City, MO), about 36 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 Paola | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KEAX Kansas City, MO | 36 mi east-northeast | 2,300 ft | Excellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground |
| KTWX Topeka, KS | 79 mi west-northwest | 6,800 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KSGF Springfield, MO | 122 mi southeast | 13,100 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 Paola
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 96 tornadoes within 25 miles of Paola, 24 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in May and April. The strongest was an F5 on May 20, 1957, which passed about 11 miles north-northwest of town and caused 44 deaths. The most recent was an EF1 on May 19, 2024, which touched down about 15 miles north-northwest of town.
Hail: 602 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 53 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.50-inch hail on May 17, 1997.
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 Paola'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.
Paola radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Paola, KS?
KEAX (Kansas City, MO), about 36 miles east-northeast. KTWX (Topeka, KS) is 79 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Paola?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Paola the lowest scan from KEAX is about 2,300 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Paola 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 Paola, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Osawatomie, KS radar 7 mi
- Louisburg, KS radar 10 mi
- Spring Hill, KS radar 12 mi
- Edgerton, KS radar 14 mi
- Wellsville, KS radar 15 mi
- Linn Valley, KS radar 16 mi
- Gardner, KS radar 16 mi
- La Cygne, KS radar 17 mi
- Olathe, KS radar 21 mi
- Ottawa, KS radar 22 mi