Valley Center, KS Live Doppler Radar

Live radar for Valley Center, Sedgwick County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.

Open live radar for Valley CenterWhat TALON shows

What weather hits Valley Center?

Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 277 days in the Sedgwick forecast zone and Sedgwick County — the most common reported hazard around Valley Center, mostly in June and July. Next come flooding (63 days) and flash flooding (58 days).

HazardDays reportedMost recentWorst on record
Damaging thunderstorm winds277Jun 2026Jul 10, 1998 · $3.0 million damage
Flooding63Jun 2025May 27, 2016 · 1 death
Flash flooding58Jun 2026Sep 12, 2008 · 1 death · $17,000 damage
Heavy snow & winter storms44Jan 2026Jan 4, 2005 · 3 deaths
High winds38Mar 2026Feb 25, 2000 · 1 death · $2,000 damage
Lightning casualties & damage21Aug 2024Jun 4, 1996 · 2 deaths
Excessive heat17Aug 2024Jul 16, 2006 · 3 deaths
Ice storms & sleet5Jan 2017Dec 11, 2007 · $1.9 million 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 Sedgwick forecast zone and Sedgwick County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.

How much snow does Valley Center get?

A normal year brings about 13 inches of snow to Valley Center, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Wichita weather station 13 miles away. The snowiest month is usually February (3.6 in).

OctNovDecJanFebMarAprMay
0.20.83.12.73.62.10.20.0

Normal snowfall in inches. TALON Pro compares this season's snow at your location with these normals as winter goes on.

Which radars cover Valley Center?

The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KICT (Wichita, KS), about 13 miles south-southwest. 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.

RadarDistanceLowest beam over Valley CenterView
KICT
Wichita, KS		13 mi south-southwest700 ftExcellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground
KVNX
Vance AFB, OK		86 mi south-southwest7,700 ftFair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation
KTWX
Topeka, KS		101 mi northeast9,800 ftFair — 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 Valley Center

Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 163 tornadoes within 25 miles of Valley Center, 38 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in May and April. The strongest was an F5 on April 26, 1991, which passed about 15 miles southeast of town and caused 17 deaths. The most recent was a tornado of unknown strength on April 30, 2024, which touched down about 17 miles northwest of town.

Hail: 1,347 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 146 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 7.75-inch hail on September 15, 2010.

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 Valley 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.

Valley Center radar FAQ

Where is the nearest weather radar to Valley Center, KS?

KICT (Wichita, KS), about 13 miles south-southwest. KVNX (Vance AFB, OK) is 86 miles away and also covers the area.

Does radar show snow in Valley Center?

Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Valley Center the lowest scan from KICT is about 700 ft up.

Is TALON's radar for Valley 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 Valley Center, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.

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