Butler, MO Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Butler, Bates County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Butler?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 57 days in the Bates forecast zone and Bates County — the most common reported hazard around Butler, mostly in May and June. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (28 days) and excessive heat (17 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 57 | May 2026 | May 4, 2020 · 1 death |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 28 | Jan 2026 | Nov 30, 2006 · $1,000 damage |
| Excessive heat | 17 | Aug 2023 | Jul 18, 1999 · 1 death |
| Flash flooding | 16 | Jun 2021 | — |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 9 | Feb 2025 | — |
| Ice storms & sleet | 8 | Feb 2019 | Jan 30, 2002 · $580,000 damage |
| Flooding | 5 | May 2019 | — |
| Blizzards | 3 | Nov 2018 | — |
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 Bates forecast zone and Bates County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Butler get?
A normal year brings about 9.5 inches of snow to Butler, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Butler 4W weather station 3.6 miles away. The snowiest month is usually February (3.0 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.0 | 0.3 | 2.4 | 2.6 | 3.0 | 1.2 | 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 Butler?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KEAX (Kansas City, MO), about 38 miles north. 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 Butler | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KEAX Kansas City, MO | 38 mi north | 2,500 ft | Excellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground |
| KSGF Springfield, MO | 87 mi southeast | 7,900 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KTWX Topeka, KS | 114 mi west-northwest | 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 Butler
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 61 tornadoes within 25 miles of Butler, 12 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in April and May. The strongest was an EF4 on February 28, 2007, which passed about 17 miles west of town. The most recent was an EF1 on April 2, 2025, which passed about 25 miles south of town.
Hail: 287 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 28 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 5.00-inch hail on July 17, 2023.
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 Butler'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.
Butler radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Butler, MO?
KEAX (Kansas City, MO), about 38 miles north. KSGF (Springfield, MO) is 87 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Butler?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Butler the lowest scan from KEAX is about 2,500 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Butler 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 Butler, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
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