Stafford, KS Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Stafford, Stafford County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Stafford?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 91 days in the Stafford forecast zone and Stafford County — the most common reported hazard around Stafford, mostly in June and May. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (34 days) and high winds (13 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 91 | Apr 2026 | Jun 30, 1999 · $300,000 damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 34 | Nov 2023 | — |
| High winds | 13 | Mar 2026 | Apr 11, 2001 · $8,000 damage |
| Ice storms & sleet | 9 | Jan 2020 | — |
| Blizzards | 7 | Feb 2013 | — |
| Flooding | 7 | Jul 2010 | May 8, 2008 · $15,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 6 | Jun 2024 | — |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 3 | Feb 2025 | — |
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 Stafford forecast zone and Stafford County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Stafford get?
A normal year brings about 18 inches of snow to Stafford, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Hudson weather station 10.3 miles away. The snowiest month is usually January (5.1 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.2 | 1.6 | 4.2 | 5.1 | 3.5 | 3.0 | 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 Stafford?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KICT (Wichita, KS), about 67 miles east-southeast. 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 Stafford | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KICT Wichita, KS | 67 mi east-southeast | 5,300 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KDDC Dodge City, KS | 76 mi west | 6,400 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KVNX Vance AFB, OK | 88 mi south-southeast | 8,000 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
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 Stafford
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 163 tornadoes within 25 miles of Stafford, 27 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in May and June. The strongest was an EF3 on May 23, 2008, which passed about 15 miles south-southeast of town and caused 2 deaths. The most recent was an EF3 on May 18, 2025, which passed about 16 miles south-southwest of town.
Hail: 670 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 71 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 6.00-inch hail on May 22, 1995.
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 Stafford'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.
Stafford radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Stafford, KS?
KICT (Wichita, KS), about 67 miles east-southeast. KDDC (Dodge City, KS) is 76 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Stafford?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Stafford the lowest scan from KICT is about 5,300 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Stafford 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 Stafford, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- St. John, KS radar 9 mi
- Pratt, KS radar 20 mi
- Ellinwood, KS radar 27 mi
- Sterling, KS radar 27 mi
- Great Bend, KS radar 30 mi
- Nickerson, KS radar 31 mi
- Larned, KS radar 31 mi
- Lyons, KS radar 34 mi
- Kingman, KS radar 34 mi
- South Hutchinson, KS radar 36 mi