Protection, KS Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Protection, Comanche County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Protection?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 60 days in the Comanche forecast zone and Comanche County — the most common reported hazard around Protection, mostly in June and May. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (33 days) and high winds (11 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 60 | Jul 2025 | Mar 7, 2000 · $50,000 damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 33 | Jan 2025 | — |
| High winds | 11 | May 2022 | Apr 16, 2003 · $5,000 damage |
| Ice storms & sleet | 9 | Jan 2020 | — |
| Flash flooding | 7 | Aug 2025 | — |
| Flooding | 5 | Aug 2025 | — |
| Blizzards | 4 | Feb 2013 | — |
| Wildfires | 3 | Feb 2026 | Mar 22, 2016 · $30 million 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 Comanche forecast zone and Comanche County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Protection get?
A normal year brings about 17 inches of snow to Protection, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Coldwater weather station 9.8 miles away. The snowiest month is usually December (4.6 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.1 | 1.2 | 4.6 | 3.5 | 4.0 | 3.2 | 0.5 | 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 Protection?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KDDC (Dodge City, KS), about 47 miles northwest. 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 Protection | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KDDC Dodge City, KS | 47 mi northwest | 3,300 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KVNX Vance AFB, OK | 81 mi east-southeast | 7,000 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KICT Wichita, KS | 116 mi east-northeast | 12,100 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 Protection
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 95 tornadoes within 25 miles of Protection, 14 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in May and April. The strongest was an EF5 on May 4, 2007, which passed about 14 miles north-northeast of town and caused 11 deaths. The most recent was an EF3 on May 18, 2025, which passed about 13 miles north of town.
Hail: 516 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 83 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 5.00-inch hail on June 11, 1996.
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 Protection'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.
Protection radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Protection, KS?
KDDC (Dodge City, KS), about 47 miles northwest. KVNX (Vance AFB, OK) is 81 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Protection?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Protection the lowest scan from KDDC is about 3,300 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Protection 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 Protection, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Meade, KS radar 48 mi
- Dodge City, KS radar 49 mi
- Medicine Lodge, KS radar 50 mi
- Kinsley, KS radar 50 mi
- Pratt, KS radar 52 mi
- Plains, KS radar 61 mi