Wilson, KS Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Wilson, Ellsworth County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Wilson?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 102 days in the Ellsworth forecast zone and Ellsworth County — the most common reported hazard around Wilson, mostly in June and May. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (40 days) and high winds (34 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 102 | Jun 2026 | Jun 11, 2002 · $500,000 damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 40 | Jan 2026 | Feb 3, 2014 · $250,000 damage |
| High winds | 34 | Mar 2026 | Mar 23, 2009 · $40,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 15 | Sep 2025 | May 23, 2007 · $4.5 million damage |
| Flooding | 12 | May 2024 | Sep 4, 2018 · $200 damage |
| Excessive heat | 8 | Aug 2011 | — |
| Blizzards | 5 | Mar 2025 | — |
| Ice storms & sleet | 4 | Jan 2017 | Dec 10, 2007 · $9.8 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 Ellsworth forecast zone and Ellsworth County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Wilson get?
A normal year brings about 9.6 inches of snow to Wilson, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Wilson Lake weather station 9.8 miles away. The snowiest month is usually February (3.7 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.1 | 0.4 | 2.5 | 1.8 | 3.7 | 0.7 | 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 Wilson?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KICT (Wichita, KS), about 98 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 Wilson | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KICT Wichita, KS | 98 mi southeast | 9,400 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KUEX Hastings, NE | 103 mi north | 10,100 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KDDC Dodge City, KS | 109 mi southwest | 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 Wilson
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 160 tornadoes within 25 miles of Wilson, 17 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in May and April. The strongest was an F4 on April 21, 2001, which passed about 24 miles southwest of town and caused 1 death. The most recent was an EF1 on May 19, 2024, which touched down about 22 miles west-northwest of town.
Hail: 680 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 76 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.50-inch hail on May 11, 2002.
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 Wilson'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.
Wilson radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Wilson, KS?
KICT (Wichita, KS), about 98 miles southeast. KUEX (Hastings, NE) is 103 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Wilson?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Wilson the lowest scan from KICT is about 9,400 ft up, so light snow from shallow clouds can be under-shown — check NWS winter alerts too.
Is TALON's radar for Wilson 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 Wilson, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Ellsworth, KS radar 15 mi
- Russell, KS radar 21 mi
- Lincoln Center, KS radar 23 mi
- Hoisington, KS radar 27 mi
- Ellinwood, KS radar 33 mi
- Lyons, KS radar 36 mi
- Victoria, KS radar 36 mi
- Great Bend, KS radar 37 mi
- Osborne, KS radar 44 mi
- Sterling, KS radar 45 mi