Reading, KS Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Reading, Lyon County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Reading?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 125 days in the Lyon forecast zone and Lyon County — the most common reported hazard around Reading, mostly in June and August. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (46 days) and flash flooding (45 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 125 | Jun 2026 | Aug 25, 2014 · 1 death |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 46 | Jan 2026 | Jan 29, 2002 · $1.0 million damage |
| Flash flooding | 45 | Jun 2025 | Jul 10, 2015 · 1 death |
| Flooding | 26 | Jul 2024 | Jun 12, 2005 · $500,000 damage |
| Excessive heat | 21 | Jun 2012 | Jul 15, 1999 · 1 death |
| High winds | 18 | Mar 2023 | May 19, 1998 · $22,000 damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 8 | Dec 2022 | Apr 4, 2007 · $100,000 damage |
| Ice storms & sleet | 6 | Nov 2015 | Jan 5, 2002 · 1 death |
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 Lyon forecast zone and Lyon County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Reading get?
A normal year brings about 16 inches of snow to Reading, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Miller 4 Ssw weather station 5.5 miles away. The snowiest month is usually January (5.5 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.1 | 1.4 | 3.9 | 5.5 | 4.1 | 1.0 | 0.3 | 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 Reading?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KTWX (Topeka, KS), about 36 miles north-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 Reading | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KTWX Topeka, KS | 36 mi north-northwest | 2,300 ft | Excellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground |
| KEAX Kansas City, MO | 94 mi east-northeast | 8,700 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KICT Wichita, KS | 101 mi southwest | 9,700 ft | Fair — 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 Reading
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 105 tornadoes within 25 miles of Reading, 22 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in May and June. The strongest was an F4 on June 8, 1974, which passed about 9 miles west-northwest of town and caused 6 deaths. The most recent was a tornado of unknown strength on June 28, 2024, which touched down about 5 miles north-northwest of town.
Hail: 667 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 87 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.50-inch hail on April 14, 2001.
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 Reading'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.
Reading radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Reading, KS?
KTWX (Topeka, KS), about 36 miles north-northwest. KEAX (Kansas City, MO) is 94 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Reading?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Reading the lowest scan from KTWX is about 2,300 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Reading 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 Reading, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Osage City, KS radar 11 mi
- Emporia, KS radar 15 mi
- Lyndon, KS radar 16 mi
- Burlington, KS radar 25 mi
- Carbondale, KS radar 25 mi
- Auburn, KS radar 28 mi
- Council Grove, KS radar 31 mi
- Ottawa, KS radar 38 mi
- Topeka, KS radar 38 mi
- Silver Lake, KS radar 40 mi