Richards, MO Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Richards, Vernon County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Richards?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 113 days in the Vernon forecast zone and Vernon County — the most common reported hazard around Richards, mostly in June and May. Next come flash flooding (65 days) and flooding (32 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 113 | Jul 2025 | Jul 30, 2023 · $100,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 65 | May 2025 | Sep 16, 2010 · $20,000 damage |
| Flooding | 32 | Apr 2026 | Dec 28, 2015 · 1 death |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 29 | Jan 2026 | Jan 1, 1999 · $75,000 damage |
| Excessive heat | 10 | Aug 2012 | Jul 25, 2002 · 1 death |
| Ice storms & sleet | 8 | Feb 2019 | Dec 9, 2007 · $750,000 damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 7 | Feb 2025 | — |
| High winds | 6 | Apr 2011 | Apr 11, 2001 · $3,000 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 Vernon forecast zone and Vernon County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Richards get?
A normal year brings about 8.4 inches of snow to Richards, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Ft Scott weather station 10 miles away. The snowiest month is usually January (3.9 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.0 | 0.4 | 2.3 | 3.9 | 1.0 | 0.7 | 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 Richards?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KEAX (Kansas City, MO), about 64 miles north-northeast. 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 Richards | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KEAX Kansas City, MO | 64 mi north-northeast | 5,000 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KSGF Springfield, MO | 79 mi southeast | 6,700 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KTWX Topeka, KS | 118 mi northwest | 12,400 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 Richards
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 66 tornadoes within 25 miles of Richards, 18 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in May and April. The strongest was an F4 on May 4, 2003, which passed about 23 miles south of town and caused 4 deaths. The most recent was an EF2 on April 2, 2025, which passed about 11 miles southeast of town.
Hail: 306 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 27 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.50-inch hail on March 12, 2006.
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 Richards'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.
Richards radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Richards, MO?
KEAX (Kansas City, MO), about 64 miles north-northeast. KSGF (Springfield, MO) is 79 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Richards?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Richards the lowest scan from KEAX is about 5,000 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Richards 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 Richards, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
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