Simpson, KS Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Simpson, Mitchell County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Simpson?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 85 days in the Mitchell forecast zone and Mitchell County — the most common reported hazard around Simpson, mostly in June and May. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (45 days) and high winds (23 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 85 | Aug 2025 | Oct 2, 2014 · $5.8 million damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 45 | Jan 2024 | Dec 10, 2007 · $400,000 damage |
| High winds | 23 | Mar 2026 | Mar 29, 2022 · $100,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 13 | Jun 2020 | Sep 10, 2003 · $1.0 million damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 11 | Feb 2025 | — |
| Blizzards | 7 | Mar 2025 | Nov 25, 2018 · 1 death |
| Flooding | 4 | Jun 2011 | Sep 11, 2003 · $1.5 million damage |
| Ice storms & sleet | 3 | Jan 2017 | Dec 21, 1997 · $100,000 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 Mitchell forecast zone and Mitchell County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Simpson get?
A normal year brings about 16 inches of snow to Simpson, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Beloit weather station 10.7 miles away. The snowiest month is usually January (4.0 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.3 | 1.3 | 3.9 | 4.0 | 3.7 | 1.7 | 0.7 | 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 Simpson?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KUEX (Hastings, NE), about 70 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 Simpson | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KUEX Hastings, NE | 70 mi north-northwest | 5,700 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KTWX Topeka, KS | 95 mi east-southeast | 8,900 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KICT Wichita, KS | 123 mi south-southeast | 13,200 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 Simpson
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 122 tornadoes within 25 miles of Simpson, 33 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in May and June. The strongest was an F4 on May 20, 1957, which passed about 11 miles east of town. The most recent was a tornado of unknown strength on October 12, 2023, which touched down about 15 miles west-northwest of town.
Hail: 554 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 78 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.50-inch hail on May 9, 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 Simpson'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.
Simpson radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Simpson, KS?
KUEX (Hastings, NE), about 70 miles north-northwest. KTWX (Topeka, KS) is 95 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Simpson?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Simpson the lowest scan from KUEX is about 5,700 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Simpson 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 Simpson, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
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- Concordia, KS radar 20 mi
- Minneapolis, KS radar 22 mi
- Lincoln Center, KS radar 26 mi
- Belleville, KS radar 34 mi
- Osborne, KS radar 41 mi
- Clay Center, KS radar 43 mi
- Salina, KS radar 43 mi
- Solomon, KS radar 44 mi
- Ellsworth, KS radar 48 mi