Kearney, MO Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Kearney, Clay County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Kearney?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 123 days in the Clay forecast zone and Clay County — the most common reported hazard around Kearney, mostly in June and May. Next come flooding (51 days) and flash flooding (42 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 123 | May 2026 | Aug 19, 2000 · $800,000 damage |
| Flooding | 51 | May 2022 | May 6, 2007 · $750,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 42 | May 2020 | Oct 4, 1998 · $4.0 million damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 33 | Jan 2026 | Dec 21, 2013 · 1 death |
| Excessive heat | 22 | Aug 2023 | Jul 26, 2003 · 1 death |
| Ice storms & sleet | 10 | Jan 2020 | Jan 30, 2002 · $22,000 damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 10 | Feb 2025 | — |
| High winds | 6 | Dec 2021 | Jun 2, 2008 · $4,000 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 Clay forecast zone and Clay County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Kearney get?
A normal year brings about 19 inches of snow to Kearney, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Kearney 3E weather station 1.8 miles away. The snowiest month is usually February (6.5 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.3 | 0.9 | 4.6 | 5.0 | 6.5 | 2.0 | 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 Kearney?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KEAX (Kansas City, MO), about 38 miles south. 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 Kearney | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KEAX Kansas City, MO | 38 mi south | 2,500 ft | Excellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground |
| KTWX Topeka, KS | 103 mi west-southwest | 10,100 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KSGF Springfield, MO | 155 mi south-southeast | 19,200 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 Kearney
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 109 tornadoes within 25 miles of Kearney, 31 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in May and June. The strongest was an F4 on May 4, 2003, which passed about 10 miles southwest of town and caused 2 deaths. The most recent was an EF0 on June 3, 2025, which touched down about 22 miles south-southwest of town.
Hail: 898 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 97 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 5.50-inch hail on September 18, 2010.
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 Kearney'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.
Kearney radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Kearney, MO?
KEAX (Kansas City, MO), about 38 miles south. KTWX (Topeka, KS) is 103 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Kearney?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Kearney the lowest scan from KEAX is about 2,500 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Kearney 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 Kearney, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Excelsior Springs, MO radar 6 mi
- Liberty, MO radar 9 mi
- Lawson, MO radar 9 mi
- Pleasant Valley, MO radar 12 mi
- Smithville, MO radar 12 mi
- Claycomo, MO radar 13 mi
- Lathrop, MO radar 14 mi
- Gladstone, MO radar 15 mi
- Plattsburg, MO radar 15 mi
- Sugar Creek, MO radar 15 mi