Lawson, MO Live Doppler Radar

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

Open live radar for LawsonWhat TALON shows

What weather hits Lawson?

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 Lawson, mostly in June and May. Next come flooding (51 days) and flash flooding (42 days).

HazardDays reportedMost recentWorst on record
Damaging thunderstorm winds123May 2026Aug 19, 2000 · $800,000 damage
Flooding51May 2022May 6, 2007 · $750,000 damage
Flash flooding42May 2020Oct 4, 1998 · $4.0 million damage
Heavy snow & winter storms33Jan 2026Dec 21, 2013 · 1 death
Excessive heat22Aug 2023Jul 26, 2003 · 1 death
Ice storms & sleet10Jan 2020Jan 30, 2002 · $22,000 damage
Extreme cold & wind chill10Feb 2025—
High winds6Dec 2021Jun 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 Lawson get?

A normal year brings about 19 inches of snow to Lawson, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Kearney 3E weather station 7.4 miles away. The snowiest month is usually February (6.5 in).

OctNovDecJanFebMarAprMay
0.30.94.65.06.52.00.10.0

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

Which radars cover Lawson?

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

RadarDistanceLowest beam over LawsonView
KEAX
Kansas City, MO		43 mi south2,900 ftExcellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground
KTWX
Topeka, KS		112 mi west-southwest11,400 ftLimited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms
KSGF
Springfield, MO		158 mi south-southeast19,800 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 Lawson

Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 109 tornadoes within 25 miles of Lawson, 30 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in May and June. The strongest was an F4 on May 4, 2003, which passed about 20 miles southwest of town and caused 2 deaths. The most recent was an EF1 on June 3, 2025, which passed about 23 miles south-southwest of town.

Hail: 579 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 74 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.50-inch hail on September 10, 1984.

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 Lawson'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.

Lawson radar FAQ

Where is the nearest weather radar to Lawson, MO?

KEAX (Kansas City, MO), about 43 miles south. KTWX (Topeka, KS) is 112 miles away and also covers the area.

Does radar show snow in Lawson?

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

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

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