May, OK Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for May, Harper County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits May?
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 May, 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 May get?
A normal year brings about 17 inches of snow to May, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Laverne weather station 10 miles away. The snowiest month is usually December (5.4 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.1 | 2.5 | 5.4 | 3.6 | 2.5 | 3.0 | 0.3 | 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 May?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KDDC (Dodge City, KS), about 80 miles north. 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 May | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KDDC Dodge City, KS | 80 mi north | 6,900 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KVNX Vance AFB, OK | 90 mi east | 8,200 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KAMA Amarillo, TX | 146 mi southwest | 17,300 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 May
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 93 tornadoes within 25 miles of May, 16 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in April and June. The strongest was an EF3 on April 14, 2012, which passed about 21 miles southeast of town and caused 6 deaths. The most recent was a tornado of unknown strength on September 8, 2025, which touched down about 23 miles north-northwest of town.
Hail: 536 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 93 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.50-inch hail on April 30, 1993.
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 May'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.
May radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to May, OK?
KDDC (Dodge City, KS), about 80 miles north. KVNX (Vance AFB, OK) is 90 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in May?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over May the lowest scan from KDDC is about 6,900 ft up, so light snow from shallow clouds can be under-shown — check NWS winter alerts too.
Is TALON's radar for May 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 May, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Laverne, OK radar 10 mi
- Buffalo, OK radar 16 mi
- Woodward, OK radar 23 mi
- Shattuck, OK radar 25 mi
- Mooreland, OK radar 33 mi
- Beaver, OK radar 45 mi
- Alva, OK radar 61 mi