Rock, KS Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Rock, Cowley County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Rock?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 179 days in the Cowley forecast zone and Cowley County — the most common reported hazard around Rock, mostly in June and May. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (35 days) and flash flooding (28 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 179 | Jun 2026 | Jun 1, 2007 · $1.5 million damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 35 | Jan 2026 | Mar 27, 2009 · $2.0 million damage |
| Flash flooding | 28 | May 2022 | Jul 1, 2007 · $320,000 damage |
| Flooding | 19 | Apr 2024 | Nov 1, 1998 · $8.0 million damage |
| High winds | 15 | Mar 2026 | Jul 22, 2003 · $100,000 damage |
| Excessive heat | 13 | Jul 2021 | — |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 12 | Mar 2017 | Aug 27, 2009 · $100,000 damage |
| Ice storms & sleet | 6 | Oct 2020 | Dec 11, 2007 · $200,000 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 Cowley forecast zone and Cowley County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Rock get?
A normal year brings about 7.8 inches of snow to Rock, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Rock 3 Sw weather station 2.8 miles away. The snowiest month is usually December (3.0 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.0 | 0.3 | 3.0 | 2.1 | 1.4 | 1.0 | 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 Rock?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KICT (Wichita, KS), about 28 miles west-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 Rock | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KICT Wichita, KS | 28 mi west-northwest | 1,700 ft | Excellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground |
| KVNX Vance AFB, OK | 79 mi southwest | 6,700 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KTWX Topeka, KS | 115 mi north-northeast | 12,000 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 Rock
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 159 tornadoes within 25 miles of Rock, 28 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in May and June. The strongest was an F5 on May 25, 1955, which passed about 12 miles east-southeast of town and caused 80 deaths. The most recent was a tornado of unknown strength on April 30, 2024, which touched down about 19 miles north of town.
Hail: 1,061 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 112 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 6.00-inch hail on May 17, 1959.
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 Rock'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.
Rock radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Rock, KS?
KICT (Wichita, KS), about 28 miles west-northwest. KVNX (Vance AFB, OK) is 79 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Rock?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Rock the lowest scan from KICT is about 1,700 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Rock 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 Rock, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
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- Oxford, KS radar 15 mi
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- Derby, KS radar 16 mi
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