The Highlands, KS Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for The Highlands, Reno County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits The Highlands?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 173 days in the Reno forecast zone and Reno County — the most common reported hazard around The Highlands, mostly in June and July. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (43 days) and high winds (39 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 173 | Jun 2026 | Jul 3, 2005 · 1 death · $15 million damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 43 | Jan 2026 | Jan 20, 2007 · 3 deaths |
| High winds | 39 | Mar 2026 | Mar 23, 2009 · $80,000 damage |
| Flooding | 32 | Jun 2019 | Jun 1, 2019 · 1 death |
| Flash flooding | 20 | Jun 2025 | May 7, 2007 · $2.5 million damage |
| Excessive heat | 10 | Aug 2011 | Jul 14, 2011 · 3 deaths |
| Ice storms & sleet | 7 | Jan 2017 | Dec 10, 2007 · $38 million damage |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 7 | Jun 2013 | May 22, 2006 · $30,000 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 Reno forecast zone and Reno County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does The Highlands get?
A normal year brings about 6.9 inches of snow to The Highlands, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Hutchinson weather station 5.6 miles away. The snowiest month is usually February (2.4 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.1 | 0.6 | 1.2 | 1.4 | 2.4 | 0.9 | 0.3 | 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 The Highlands?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KICT (Wichita, KS), about 45 miles 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 The Highlands | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KICT Wichita, KS | 45 mi southeast | 3,100 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KVNX Vance AFB, OK | 99 mi south | 9,500 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KTWX Topeka, KS | 109 mi east-northeast | 11,000 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 The Highlands
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 130 tornadoes within 25 miles of The Highlands, 29 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in May and June. The strongest was an F5 on March 13, 1990, which passed about 19 miles southeast of town and caused 1 death. The most recent was an EF3 on May 18, 2025, which passed about 19 miles west-southwest of town.
Hail: 697 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 94 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.50-inch hail on June 13, 2000.
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 The Highlands'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.
The Highlands radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to The Highlands, KS?
KICT (Wichita, KS), about 45 miles southeast. KVNX (Vance AFB, OK) is 99 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in The Highlands?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over The Highlands the lowest scan from KICT is about 3,100 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for The Highlands 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 The Highlands, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Hutchinson, KS radar 7 mi
- Nickerson, KS radar 8 mi
- South Hutchinson, KS radar 10 mi
- Buhler, KS radar 10 mi
- Inman, KS radar 11 mi
- Sterling, KS radar 14 mi
- Lyons, KS radar 19 mi
- Haven, KS radar 20 mi
- McPherson, KS radar 21 mi
- Moundridge, KS radar 24 mi