Wathena, KS Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Wathena, Doniphan County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Wathena?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 43 days in the Doniphan forecast zone and Doniphan County — the most common reported hazard around Wathena, mostly in June and August. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (25 days) and excessive heat (14 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 43 | Oct 2024 | Jul 18, 2012 · $200,000 damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 25 | Dec 2020 | Jan 30, 2002 · $100,000 damage |
| Excessive heat | 14 | Aug 2023 | — |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 9 | Feb 2025 | — |
| Flash flooding | 9 | Sep 2016 | Jun 24, 2000 · $250,000 damage |
| Flooding | 8 | Jun 2019 | Jun 13, 1998 · $1.8 million damage |
| Blizzards | 5 | Nov 2018 | — |
| Ice storms & sleet | 3 | Dec 2007 | Dec 10, 2007 · $250,000 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 Doniphan forecast zone and Doniphan County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Wathena get?
A normal year brings about 21 inches of snow to Wathena, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Troy 3N weather station 9.7 miles away. The snowiest month is usually February (5.9 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.3 | 1.3 | 5.0 | 5.5 | 5.9 | 2.2 | 0.8 | 0.1 |
Normal snowfall in inches. TALON Pro compares this season's snow at your location with these normals as winter goes on.
Which radars cover Wathena?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KEAX (Kansas City, MO), about 75 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 Wathena | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KEAX Kansas City, MO | 75 mi south-southeast | 6,200 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KTWX Topeka, KS | 87 mi southwest | 7,800 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KOAX Omaha, NE | 132 mi northwest | 14,700 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 Wathena
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 88 tornadoes within 25 miles of Wathena, 16 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in April and May. The strongest was an F3 on April 10, 1965, which passed about 11 miles southeast of town. The most recent was an EF0 on May 19, 2025, which passed about 8 miles southeast of town.
Hail: 354 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 40 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.50-inch hail on September 21, 1993.
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 Wathena'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.
Wathena radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Wathena, KS?
KEAX (Kansas City, MO), about 75 miles south-southeast. KTWX (Topeka, KS) is 87 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Wathena?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Wathena the lowest scan from KEAX is about 6,200 ft up, so light snow from shallow clouds can be under-shown — check NWS winter alerts too.
Is TALON's radar for Wathena 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 Wathena, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
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