Buffalo, OK Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Buffalo, Harper County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Buffalo?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 96 days in the Harper forecast zone and Harper County — the most common reported hazard around Buffalo, mostly in June and July. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (39 days) and excessive heat (32 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 96 | Jun 2026 | Jun 17, 2023 · $250,000 damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 39 | Jan 2024 | Jan 4, 2005 · $100,000 damage |
| Excessive heat | 32 | Jun 2026 | Aug 1, 2006 · $10,000 damage |
| High winds | 23 | Feb 2026 | Apr 11, 2001 · $40,000 damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 9 | Feb 2025 | — |
| Wildfires | 8 | Mar 2024 | Mar 6, 2017 · 1 death |
| Ice storms & sleet | 5 | Jan 2017 | Jan 30, 2002 · $25 million damage |
| Flooding | 5 | Jun 2007 | Mar 4, 2004 · $1.3 million 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 Harper forecast zone and Harper County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Buffalo get?
A normal year brings about 14 inches of snow to Buffalo, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Buffalo 2 Ssw weather station 2 miles away. The snowiest month is usually December (4.1 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.0 | 2.2 | 4.1 | 2.0 | 3.4 | 1.8 | 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 Buffalo?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KDDC (Dodge City, KS), about 67 miles north-northwest. 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 Buffalo | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KDDC Dodge City, KS | 67 mi north-northwest | 5,300 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KVNX Vance AFB, OK | 84 mi east | 7,400 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KICT Wichita, KS | 134 mi east-northeast | 15,100 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 Buffalo
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 76 tornadoes within 25 miles of Buffalo, 11 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in May and April. The strongest was an F3 on May 15, 1991, which passed about 11 miles west-southwest of town. The most recent was a tornado of unknown strength on September 8, 2025, which touched down about 15 miles west-northwest of town.
Hail: 430 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 73 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.50-inch hail on May 9, 1996.
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 Buffalo'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.
Buffalo radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Buffalo, OK?
KDDC (Dodge City, KS), about 67 miles north-northwest. KVNX (Vance AFB, OK) is 84 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Buffalo?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Buffalo the lowest scan from KDDC is about 5,300 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Buffalo 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 Buffalo, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Laverne, OK radar 17 mi
- Woodward, OK radar 31 mi
- Mooreland, OK radar 36 mi
- Shattuck, OK radar 41 mi
- Beaver, OK radar 49 mi
- Alva, OK radar 54 mi