Yates Center, KS Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Yates Center, Woodson County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Yates Center?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 50 days in the Woodson forecast zone and Woodson County — the most common reported hazard around Yates Center, mostly in June and April. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (25 days) and flash flooding (18 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 50 | Jun 2026 | Jun 14, 2001 · $100,000 damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 25 | Jan 2026 | Feb 23, 2003 · 1 death |
| Flash flooding | 18 | Jun 2025 | Jul 1, 2007 · $71,000 damage |
| Excessive heat | 12 | Jul 2021 | — |
| Flooding | 5 | Jul 2021 | Aug 9, 2013 · $200 damage |
| Ice storms & sleet | 4 | Jan 2017 | — |
| Blizzards | 2 | Feb 2011 | — |
| High winds | 2 | Mar 2025 | — |
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 Woodson forecast zone and Woodson County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Yates Center get?
A normal year brings about 9.0 inches of snow to Yates Center, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Yates Ctr weather station 1.8 miles away. The snowiest month is usually January (3.1 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.2 | 0.6 | 2.3 | 3.1 | 1.8 | 1.0 | 0.0 | 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 Yates Center?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KTWX (Topeka, KS), about 82 miles north-northwest. 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 Yates Center | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KTWX Topeka, KS | 82 mi north-northwest | 7,200 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KICT Wichita, KS | 93 mi west | 8,700 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KEAX Kansas City, MO | 104 mi northeast | 10,200 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 Yates Center
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 83 tornadoes within 25 miles of Yates Center, 18 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in May and April. The strongest was an F4 on April 2, 1956, which passed about 15 miles northwest of town and caused 2 deaths. The most recent was a tornado of unknown strength on June 29, 2024, which touched down about 2 miles south-southwest of town.
Hail: 403 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 40 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.25-inch hail on September 13, 2005.
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 Yates Center'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.
Yates Center radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Yates Center, KS?
KTWX (Topeka, KS), about 82 miles north-northwest. KICT (Wichita, KS) is 93 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Yates Center?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Yates Center the lowest scan from KTWX is about 7,200 ft up, so light snow from shallow clouds can be under-shown — check NWS winter alerts too.
Is TALON's radar for Yates Center 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 Yates Center, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Humboldt, KS radar 18 mi
- Iola, KS radar 20 mi
- Chanute, KS radar 21 mi
- Burlington, KS radar 23 mi
- Fredonia, KS radar 23 mi
- Eureka, KS radar 29 mi
- Neodesha, KS radar 31 mi
- Erie, KS radar 35 mi
- Garnett, KS radar 40 mi
- Cherryvale, KS radar 43 mi