Smith Center, KS Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Smith Center, Smith County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Smith Center?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 78 days in the Smith forecast zone and Smith County — the most common reported hazard around Smith Center, mostly in June and May. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (50 days) and high winds (30 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 78 | Aug 2025 | May 26, 2002 · $4.0 million damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 50 | Jan 2025 | Jan 31, 2011 · 1 death |
| High winds | 30 | Mar 2026 | Apr 2, 2006 · $20,000 damage |
| Blizzards | 12 | Mar 2025 | Nov 28, 2005 · $30,000 damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 11 | Feb 2025 | — |
| Flash flooding | 8 | May 2025 | May 29, 2008 · $825,000 damage |
| Flooding | 6 | Aug 2015 | Jun 2, 2011 · $4.0 million damage |
| Ice storms & sleet | 4 | Jan 2017 | Dec 30, 2006 · $500,000 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 Smith forecast zone and Smith County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Smith Center get?
A normal year brings about 18 inches of snow to Smith Center, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Smith Ctr weather station in town. The snowiest month is usually February (5.9 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.5 | 1.5 | 3.0 | 4.4 | 5.9 | 2.3 | 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 Smith Center?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KUEX (Hastings, NE), about 42 miles north-northeast. 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 Smith Center | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KUEX Hastings, NE | 42 mi north-northeast | 2,800 ft | Excellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground |
| KTWX Topeka, KS | 146 mi east-southeast | 17,500 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KDDC Dodge City, KS | 153 mi south-southwest | 18,800 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 Smith Center
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 92 tornadoes within 25 miles of Smith Center, 20 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in May and June. The strongest was an F4 on March 13, 1990, which passed about 23 miles northeast of town. The most recent was an EF0 on April 16, 2024, which passed about 10 miles north-northwest of town.
Hail: 475 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 54 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.25-inch hail on August 17, 2014.
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 Smith Center'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.
Smith Center radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Smith Center, KS?
KUEX (Hastings, NE), about 42 miles north-northeast. KTWX (Topeka, KS) is 146 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Smith Center?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Smith Center the lowest scan from KUEX is about 2,800 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Smith Center 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 Smith Center, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
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- Lincoln Center, KS radar 61 mi
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