Reserve, KS Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Reserve, Brown County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Reserve?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 73 days in the Brown forecast zone and Brown County — the most common reported hazard around Reserve, mostly in June and August. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (46 days) and flash flooding (21 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 73 | Jun 2026 | Apr 5, 1999 · $150,000 damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 46 | Jan 2024 | Dec 24, 1997 · 1 death |
| Flash flooding | 21 | Jun 2021 | May 6, 2007 · $2.0 million damage |
| Excessive heat | 17 | Jul 2012 | — |
| High winds | 11 | Jan 2019 | Jan 18, 1996 · $25,000 damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 8 | Dec 2022 | — |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 7 | Aug 2007 | Aug 18, 1999 · $20,000 damage |
| Ice storms & sleet | 5 | Dec 2007 | — |
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 Brown forecast zone and Brown County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Reserve get?
A normal year brings about 22 inches of snow to Reserve, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Rulo 2W weather station 7.5 miles away. The snowiest month is usually January (7.4 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.4 | 1.0 | 5.4 | 7.4 | 5.7 | 1.6 | 0.6 | 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 Reserve?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KTWX (Topeka, KS), about 76 miles south-southwest. 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 Reserve | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KTWX Topeka, KS | 76 mi south-southwest | 6,400 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KOAX Omaha, NE | 102 mi north-northwest | 9,900 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KEAX Kansas City, MO | 106 mi southeast | 10,600 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 Reserve
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 115 tornadoes within 25 miles of Reserve, 23 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in May and June. The strongest was an F3 on May 5, 1950, which passed about 9 miles south-southeast of town. The most recent was a tornado of unknown strength on May 19, 2025, which touched down about 23 miles west-northwest of town.
Hail: 367 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 54 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.50-inch hail on May 25, 2015.
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 Reserve'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.
Reserve radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Reserve, KS?
KTWX (Topeka, KS), about 76 miles south-southwest. KOAX (Omaha, NE) is 102 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Reserve?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Reserve the lowest scan from KTWX is about 6,400 ft up, so light snow from shallow clouds can be under-shown — check NWS winter alerts too.
Is TALON's radar for Reserve 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 Reserve, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
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