Wakefield, KS Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Wakefield, Clay County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Wakefield?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 80 days in the Clay forecast zone and Clay County — the most common reported hazard around Wakefield, mostly in August and June. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (44 days) and flash flooding (22 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 80 | Jun 2026 | Sep 15, 2004 · $9,000 damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 44 | Jan 2026 | Apr 10, 1997 · 3 deaths |
| Flash flooding | 22 | Apr 2025 | May 24, 2007 · $700,000 damage |
| Excessive heat | 17 | Jul 2012 | — |
| High winds | 13 | May 2016 | Mar 23, 2009 · $15,000 damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 10 | Dec 2022 | — |
| Flooding | 6 | Jun 2011 | May 24, 1997 · $50,000 damage |
| Ice storms & sleet | 5 | Jan 2017 | — |
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 Clay forecast zone and Clay County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Wakefield get?
A normal year brings about 10 inches of snow to Wakefield, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Wakefield 4 W weather station 3.9 miles away. The snowiest month is usually January (3.6 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.0 | 0.7 | 3.2 | 3.6 | 0.9 | 1.5 | 0.1 | 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 Wakefield?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KTWX (Topeka, KS), about 45 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 Wakefield | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KTWX Topeka, KS | 45 mi east-southeast | 3,100 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KUEX Hastings, NE | 107 mi northwest | 10,700 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KICT Wichita, KS | 110 mi south-southwest | 11,200 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 Wakefield
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 108 tornadoes within 25 miles of Wakefield, 21 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in May and June. The strongest was an EF4 on May 25, 2016, which passed about 18 miles south of town. The most recent was an EF0 on May 6, 2024, which touched down about 24 miles east-southeast of town.
Hail: 725 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 87 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.50-inch hail on April 15, 2012.
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 Wakefield'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.
Wakefield radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Wakefield, KS?
KTWX (Topeka, KS), about 45 miles east-southeast. KUEX (Hastings, NE) is 107 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Wakefield?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Wakefield the lowest scan from KTWX is about 3,100 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Wakefield 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 Wakefield, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Clay Center, KS radar 13 mi
- Junction City, KS radar 16 mi
- Chapman, KS radar 17 mi
- Grandview Plaza, KS radar 18 mi
- Ogden, KS radar 18 mi
- Manhattan, KS radar 22 mi
- Abilene, KS radar 23 mi
- Solomon, KS radar 28 mi
- St. George, KS radar 32 mi
- Minneapolis, KS radar 37 mi