Napoleon, MO Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Napoleon, Lafayette County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Napoleon?
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 Napoleon, mostly in June and August. Next come flooding (73 days) and heavy snow & winter storms (35 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 85 | Sep 2025 | Jun 23, 1998 · $75,000 damage |
| Flooding | 73 | Jul 2020 | Apr 22, 1999 · $1.0 million damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 35 | Jan 2026 | — |
| Excessive heat | 16 | Aug 2023 | — |
| Flash flooding | 15 | Jul 2020 | May 12, 2002 · $800,000 damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 10 | Feb 2025 | Dec 10, 2000 · 1 death |
| Ice storms & sleet | 7 | Feb 2019 | Jan 30, 2002 · $300,000 damage |
| High winds | 4 | Nov 2015 | Mar 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 Napoleon get?
A normal year brings about 14 inches of snow to Napoleon, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Lexington 3E weather station 13.1 miles away. The snowiest month is usually January (4.7 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.0 | 0.8 | 4.1 | 4.7 | 3.2 | 0.8 | 0.2 | 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 Napoleon?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KEAX (Kansas City, MO), about 24 miles south-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.
| Radar | Distance | Lowest beam over Napoleon | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KEAX Kansas City, MO | 24 mi south-southwest | 1,400 ft | Excellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground |
| KTWX Topeka, KS | 115 mi west | 12,000 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KSGF Springfield, MO | 136 mi south-southeast | 15,500 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 Napoleon
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 114 tornadoes within 25 miles of Napoleon, 33 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in May and June. The strongest was an F5 on May 20, 1957, which passed about 20 miles west-southwest of town and caused 44 deaths. The most recent was an EF0 on June 3, 2025, which touched down about 22 miles west-southwest of town.
Hail: 683 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 91 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 Napoleon'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.
Napoleon radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Napoleon, MO?
KEAX (Kansas City, MO), about 24 miles south-southwest. KTWX (Topeka, KS) is 115 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Napoleon?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Napoleon the lowest scan from KEAX is about 1,400 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Napoleon 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 Napoleon, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
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