Speed, KS Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Speed, Phillips County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Speed?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 89 days in the Phillips forecast zone and Phillips County — the most common reported hazard around Speed, mostly in July and June. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (42 days) and high winds (32 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 89 | Aug 2025 | Jun 29, 2000 · $2.0 million damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 42 | Feb 2023 | Dec 10, 2007 · $250,000 damage |
| High winds | 32 | Mar 2026 | Apr 2, 2006 · $50,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 13 | May 2024 | Apr 5, 2005 · $650,000 damage |
| Blizzards | 12 | Mar 2025 | Nov 27, 2005 · $150,000 damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 11 | Feb 2025 | — |
| Ice storms & sleet | 5 | Jan 2017 | Dec 30, 2006 · $500,000 damage |
| Flooding | 5 | May 2019 | Sep 4, 2016 · $575,000 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 Phillips forecast zone and Phillips County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Speed get?
A normal year brings about 17 inches of snow to Speed, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Phillipsburg #2 weather station 7.9 miles away. The snowiest month is usually February (6.6 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.7 | 1.1 | 3.2 | 3.4 | 6.6 | 1.5 | 0.5 | 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 Speed?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KUEX (Hastings, NE), about 68 miles 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 Speed | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KUEX Hastings, NE | 68 mi northeast | 5,500 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KGLD Goodland, KS | 123 mi west | 13,300 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KDDC Dodge City, KS | 136 mi south-southwest | 15,400 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 Speed
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 93 tornadoes within 25 miles of Speed, 17 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in June and April. The strongest was an F4 on May 10, 1985, which passed about 15 miles east-northeast of town. The most recent was a tornado of unknown strength on April 28, 2022, which touched down about 24 miles north of town.
Hail: 481 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 53 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.50-inch hail on May 31, 1980.
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 Speed'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.
Speed radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Speed, KS?
KUEX (Hastings, NE), about 68 miles northeast. KGLD (Goodland, KS) is 123 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Speed?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Speed the lowest scan from KUEX is about 5,500 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Speed 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 Speed, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Phillipsburg, KS radar 7 mi
- Stockton, KS radar 19 mi
- Norton, KS radar 27 mi
- Hill City, KS radar 31 mi
- Plainville, KS radar 31 mi
- Smith Center, KS radar 35 mi
- Osborne, KS radar 42 mi
- WaKeeney, KS radar 51 mi
- Ellis, KS radar 52 mi
- Hays, KS radar 55 mi