Waterville, KS Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Waterville, Marshall County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Waterville?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 96 days in the Marshall forecast zone and Marshall County — the most common reported hazard around Waterville, mostly in June and July. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (54 days) and flash flooding (26 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 96 | Jun 2026 | Jun 11, 1997 · $200,000 damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 54 | Jan 2026 | Apr 10, 1997 · 1 death · $25,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 26 | Apr 2026 | May 24, 2007 · $100,000 damage |
| Excessive heat | 16 | Jun 2012 | — |
| High winds | 10 | Jun 2014 | Feb 11, 1999 · 1 death |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 9 | Dec 2022 | — |
| Flooding | 7 | Jun 2015 | May 24, 2007 · $50,000 damage |
| Ice storms & sleet | 6 | 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 Marshall forecast zone and Marshall County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Waterville get?
A normal year brings about 13 inches of snow to Waterville, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Blue Rapids weather station 4.6 miles away. The snowiest month is usually February (4.0 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.0 | 1.2 | 2.9 | 3.8 | 4.0 | 1.0 | 0.4 | 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 Waterville?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KTWX (Topeka, KS), about 55 miles south-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 Waterville | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KTWX Topeka, KS | 55 mi south-southeast | 4,100 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KUEX Hastings, NE | 100 mi west-northwest | 9,600 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KOAX Omaha, NE | 114 mi north | 11,800 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 Waterville
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 90 tornadoes within 25 miles of Waterville, 14 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in May and June. The strongest was an F3 on September 25, 1973, which passed about 16 miles west-northwest of town and caused 3 deaths. The most recent was a tornado of unknown strength on August 14, 2024, which touched down about 15 miles southeast of town.
Hail: 551 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 76 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 5.00-inch hail on April 26, 2016.
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 Waterville'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.
Waterville radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Waterville, KS?
KTWX (Topeka, KS), about 55 miles south-southeast. KUEX (Hastings, NE) is 100 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Waterville?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Waterville the lowest scan from KTWX is about 4,100 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Waterville 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 Waterville, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Marysville, KS radar 12 mi
- Washington, KS radar 18 mi
- Clay Center, KS radar 30 mi
- Manhattan, KS radar 36 mi
- Seneca, KS radar 37 mi
- St. George, KS radar 39 mi
- Ogden, KS radar 40 mi
- Wamego, KS radar 41 mi
- Grandview Plaza, KS radar 46 mi
- Junction City, KS radar 46 mi