Tonkawa, OK Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Tonkawa, Kay County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Tonkawa?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 190 days in the Kay forecast zone and Kay County — the most common reported hazard around Tonkawa, mostly in June and May. Next come excessive heat (79 days) and flash flooding (49 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 190 | Jun 2026 | Aug 17, 2009 · $900,000 damage |
| Excessive heat | 79 | Jun 2026 | Jul 30, 1999 · 3 deaths |
| Flash flooding | 49 | Jun 2026 | Jun 22, 2026 · $10,000 damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 46 | Jan 2026 | Dec 26, 2000 · $100,000 damage |
| High winds | 19 | Mar 2025 | Apr 11, 2001 · $75,000 damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 13 | Feb 2025 | — |
| Flooding | 13 | May 2019 | Apr 11, 1997 · 1 death |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 12 | Aug 2008 | Jun 12, 2002 · $50,000 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 Kay forecast zone and Kay County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Tonkawa get?
A normal year brings about 7.9 inches of snow to Tonkawa, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Blackwell 1Ssw weather station 7.9 miles away. The snowiest month is usually December (2.6 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.0 | 0.1 | 2.6 | 2.0 | 1.7 | 1.4 | 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 Tonkawa?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KVNX (Vance AFB, OK), about 45 miles west. 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 Tonkawa | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KVNX Vance AFB, OK | 45 mi west | 3,100 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KICT Wichita, KS | 68 mi north | 5,500 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KTLX Oklahoma City, OK | 92 mi south | 8,500 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
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 Tonkawa
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 160 tornadoes within 25 miles of Tonkawa, 35 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in May and April. The strongest was an F5 on May 25, 1955, which passed about 17 miles north-northeast of town and caused 80 deaths. The most recent was an EF0 on May 6, 2024, which touched down about 16 miles east of town.
Hail: 532 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 77 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.75-inch hail on May 10, 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 Tonkawa'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.
Tonkawa radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Tonkawa, OK?
KVNX (Vance AFB, OK), about 45 miles west. KICT (Wichita, KS) is 68 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Tonkawa?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Tonkawa the lowest scan from KVNX is about 3,100 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Tonkawa 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 Tonkawa, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Blackwell, OK radar 9 mi
- Ponca City, OK radar 14 mi
- Newkirk, OK radar 20 mi
- Perry, OK radar 27 mi
- North Enid, OK radar 34 mi
- Fairfax, OK radar 34 mi
- Enid, OK radar 36 mi
- Pawnee, OK radar 36 mi
- Stillwater, OK radar 40 mi
- Waukomis, OK radar 42 mi