Preston, KS Live Doppler Radar

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

Open live radar for PrestonWhat TALON shows

What weather hits Preston?

Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 115 days in the Pratt forecast zone and Pratt County — the most common reported hazard around Preston, mostly in June and May. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (31 days) and high winds (20 days).

HazardDays reportedMost recentWorst on record
Damaging thunderstorm winds115Apr 2026Aug 2, 1996 · $2.0 million damage
Heavy snow & winter storms31Jan 2024Mar 12, 1999 · $15,000 damage
High winds20Mar 2026Mar 8, 2000 · $5,000 damage
Flash flooding11Jul 2025Jul 25, 2025 · $5,000 damage
Flooding7Oct 2018Oct 8, 2018 · $2.5 million damage
Ice storms & sleet7Jan 2017—
Blizzards5Feb 2013—
Extreme cold & wind chill3Feb 2025—

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

How much snow does Preston get?

A normal year brings about 15 inches of snow to Preston, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Pratt 3Nw weather station 13.3 miles away. The snowiest month is usually March (4.1 in).

OctNovDecJanFebMarAprMay
0.10.42.63.63.94.10.40.0

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

Which radars cover Preston?

The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KICT (Wichita, KS), about 61 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.

RadarDistanceLowest beam over PrestonView
KICT
Wichita, KS		61 mi east4,700 ftGood — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly
KVNX
Vance AFB, OK		74 mi south-southeast6,200 ftFair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation
KDDC
Dodge City, KS		77 mi west6,500 ftFair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation

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 Preston

Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 153 tornadoes within 25 miles of Preston, 30 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in May and April. The strongest was an EF3 on May 23, 2008, which passed about 3 miles east-southeast of town and caused 2 deaths. The most recent was an EF3 on May 18, 2025, which passed about 9 miles west of town.

Hail: 751 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 86 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 6.00-inch hail on May 22, 1995.

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 Preston'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.

Preston radar FAQ

Where is the nearest weather radar to Preston, KS?

KICT (Wichita, KS), about 61 miles east. KVNX (Vance AFB, OK) is 74 miles away and also covers the area.

Does radar show snow in Preston?

Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Preston the lowest scan from KICT is about 4,700 ft up.

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

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