Winchester, KS Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Winchester, Jefferson County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Winchester?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 132 days in the Jefferson forecast zone and Jefferson County — the most common reported hazard around Winchester, mostly in June and July. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (55 days) and flash flooding (39 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 132 | Jun 2026 | Jun 29, 1998 · $700,000 damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 55 | Jan 2026 | Jan 29, 2002 · $1.0 million damage |
| Flash flooding | 39 | Jun 2026 | Oct 2, 2005 · $2.0 million damage |
| Excessive heat | 22 | Jul 2012 | — |
| Flooding | 17 | Aug 2024 | Oct 2, 2005 · $800,000 damage |
| High winds | 11 | Mar 2023 | Mar 23, 2009 · $2,000 damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 7 | Dec 2022 | — |
| Ice storms & sleet | 6 | Jan 2020 | — |
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 Jefferson forecast zone and Jefferson County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Winchester get?
A normal year brings about 16 inches of snow to Winchester, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Oskaloosa 4 Ne weather station 5.6 miles away. The snowiest month is usually January (4.7 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.5 | 1.1 | 3.9 | 4.7 | 4.5 | 1.6 | 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 Winchester?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KTWX (Topeka, KS), about 56 miles west-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.
| Radar | Distance | Lowest beam over Winchester | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KTWX Topeka, KS | 56 mi west-southwest | 4,200 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KEAX Kansas City, MO | 65 mi east-southeast | 5,100 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KOAX Omaha, NE | 150 mi north-northwest | 18,100 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 Winchester
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 117 tornadoes within 25 miles of Winchester, 40 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in May and April. The strongest was an F5 on June 8, 1966, which passed about 24 miles southwest of town and caused 16 deaths. The most recent was a tornado of unknown strength on April 30, 2024, which touched down about 24 miles southwest of town.
Hail: 724 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 August 19, 2011.
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 Winchester'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.
Winchester radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Winchester, KS?
KTWX (Topeka, KS), about 56 miles west-southwest. KEAX (Kansas City, MO) is 65 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Winchester?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Winchester the lowest scan from KTWX is about 4,200 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Winchester 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 Winchester, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Oskaloosa, KS radar 8 mi
- Valley Falls, KS radar 10 mi
- Tonganoxie, KS radar 18 mi
- Atchison, KS radar 18 mi
- Leavenworth, KS radar 18 mi
- Lansing, KS radar 21 mi
- Basehor, KS radar 22 mi
- Lawrence, KS radar 25 mi
- Holton, KS radar 27 mi
- Bonner Springs, KS radar 27 mi