Optima, OK Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Optima, Texas County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Optima?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 186 days in the Texas forecast zone and Texas County — the most common reported hazard around Optima, mostly in June and July. Next come high winds (128 days) and heavy snow & winter storms (39 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 186 | Jun 2026 | May 20, 2001 · $525,000 damage |
| High winds | 128 | May 2026 | Apr 7, 2006 · $64,000 damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 39 | Jan 2026 | Dec 28, 2006 · $7.0 million damage |
| Wildfires | 25 | Apr 2026 | Apr 3, 2011 · $3.5 million damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 24 | Feb 2022 | — |
| Flash flooding | 14 | Jun 2024 | — |
| Blizzards | 8 | Jan 2024 | Oct 25, 1997 · 1 death · $8.5 million damage |
| Ice storms & sleet | 8 | Jan 2017 | Dec 19, 2006 · $400,000 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 Texas forecast zone and Texas County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Optima get?
A normal year brings about 17 inches of snow to Optima, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Hooker weather station 9.8 miles away. The snowiest month is usually March (4.3 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.4 | 1.0 | 4.0 | 3.9 | 3.1 | 4.3 | 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 Optima?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KDDC (Dodge City, KS), about 103 miles 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 Optima | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KDDC Dodge City, KS | 103 mi northeast | 10,000 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KAMA Amarillo, TX | 108 mi south | 10,700 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KVNX Vance AFB, OK | 178 mi east | 24,100 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 Optima
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 65 tornadoes within 25 miles of Optima, 7 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in May and June. The strongest was an F4 on June 9, 1971, which passed about 24 miles south-southeast of town. The most recent was a tornado of unknown strength on June 27, 2023, which touched down about 16 miles east-southeast of town.
Hail: 355 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 55 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.50-inch hail on May 14, 1989.
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 Optima'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.
Optima radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Optima, OK?
KDDC (Dodge City, KS), about 103 miles northeast. KAMA (Amarillo, TX) is 108 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Optima?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Optima the lowest scan from KDDC is about 10,000 ft up, so light snow from shallow clouds can be under-shown — check NWS winter alerts too.
Is TALON's radar for Optima 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 Optima, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Guymon, OK radar 9 mi
- Hooker, OK radar 10 mi
- Beaver, OK radar 46 mi