Emma, MO Live Doppler Radar

Live radar for Emma, Lafayette County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.

Open live radar for EmmaWhat TALON shows

What weather hits Emma?

Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 85 days in the Lafayette forecast zone and Lafayette County — the most common reported hazard around Emma, mostly in June and August. Next come flooding (73 days) and heavy snow & winter storms (35 days).

HazardDays reportedMost recentWorst on record
Damaging thunderstorm winds85Sep 2025Jun 23, 1998 · $75,000 damage
Flooding73Jul 2020Apr 22, 1999 · $1.0 million damage
Heavy snow & winter storms35Jan 2026—
Excessive heat16Aug 2023—
Flash flooding15Jul 2020May 12, 2002 · $800,000 damage
Extreme cold & wind chill10Feb 2025Dec 10, 2000 · 1 death
Ice storms & sleet7Feb 2019Jan 30, 2002 · $300,000 damage
High winds4Nov 2015Mar 31, 2008 · $1,000 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 Lafayette forecast zone and Lafayette County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.

How much snow does Emma get?

A normal year brings about 12 inches of snow to Emma, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Sweet Springs weather station 4.1 miles away. The snowiest month is usually January (4.7 in).

OctNovDecJanFebMarAprMay
0.10.42.94.72.31.50.30.0

Normal snowfall in inches. TALON Pro compares this season's snow at your location with these normals as winter goes on.

Which radars cover Emma?

The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KEAX (Kansas City, MO), about 43 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.

RadarDistanceLowest beam over EmmaView
KEAX
Kansas City, MO		43 mi west-southwest2,900 ftExcellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground
KSGF
Springfield, MO		120 mi south12,800 ftLimited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms
KTWX
Topeka, KS		147 mi west17,600 ftLimited — 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 Emma

Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 87 tornadoes within 25 miles of Emma, 21 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in May and March. The strongest was an F3 on May 4, 1977, which passed about 13 miles north-northwest of town and caused 1 death. The most recent was an EF1 on May 6, 2024, which passed about 20 miles south-southeast of town.

Hail: 342 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 26 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.25-inch hail on June 30, 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 Emma'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.

Emma radar FAQ

Where is the nearest weather radar to Emma, MO?

KEAX (Kansas City, MO), about 43 miles west-southwest. KSGF (Springfield, MO) is 120 miles away and also covers the area.

Does radar show snow in Emma?

Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Emma the lowest scan from KEAX is about 2,900 ft up.

Is TALON's radar for Emma 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 Emma, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.

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