Wichita Falls Weather Radar

Wichita Falls Live Weather

Wichita Falls Live Weather Radar

Click to toggle between the Wichita Falls cloud cover radar map and the Wichita Falls precipitation radar map.

Wichita Falls Hourly Weather Forecast

Wichita Falls 7-Day Weather Forecast

Wichita Falls Weather Overview

Wichita Falls sits in North Texas about 15 miles south of Oklahoma, where dryline collisions and Gulf moisture make Wichita Falls weather radar part of daily storm watching from spring into early summer. The city has a humid-subtropical climate, but it runs hotter than many places in the region. NOAA normals show 27.89 inches of precipitation a year and 3.1 inches of snow, so Wichita Falls weather radar matters more for hail, wind, and sudden heavy rain than for long winter storms.

Tornado risk is the headline concern. The 1979 Terrible Tuesday tornado killed 42 people, injured about 1,800, and left 20,000 residents homeless. An earlier F5 tornado on April 3, 1964 killed 7 people and injured more than 100. During severe weather season, Wichita Falls weather radar helps track supercells, hail cores, and fast-moving warning polygons across the metro and Sheppard Air Force Base. The National Weather Service office serving the area is WFO OUN in Norman, Oklahoma, so Wichita Falls weather radar is especially useful when Norman issues watches for North Texas.

Heat is the other major issue. Wichita Falls reached 117°F on June 28, 1980, and the 2011 drought brought 100 days of 100°F or higher. Flash flooding can still hit hard when storm clusters stall; May 2015 dumped 17.00 inches of rain, the wettest month on record. That mix makes Wichita Falls weather radar useful year-round, whether you are watching a thunderstorm, checking if another brutal heat day stays dry, or timing a drive across town.

Wichita Falls Weather Risks & Safety

Key weather hazards to monitor on the Wichita Falls weather radar

Tornado Risk

Severe thunderstorms near Wichita Falls can produce tornadoes, with spring and early summer often bringing the greatest concern. Radar can show rotation inside a storm, but an official tornado warning is the signal to act immediately. Move to a basement or a small interior room on the lowest floor, away from windows, and keep alerts enabled during severe weather.

Severe Thunderstorm Risk

Thunderstorms near Wichita Falls may bring lightning, strong winds, hail, or heavy rain. Radar helps track precipitation position and movement, but it does not by itself confirm lightning at a location or the wind and hail conditions on the ground. Read current NWS forecasts, watches, and warnings for the expected hazards and timing. If a warning covers your location, follow its shelter instructions.

Flash Flood Risk

Heavy downpours around Wichita Falls can overwhelm drainage, small creeks, low-water crossings, and paved areas within minutes. The radar shows where the heaviest rain is falling and whether repeated cells are moving over the same area. When a flash flood warning is issued for Wichita Falls, move to higher ground and never drive through flooded roads.

Extreme Heat Risk

When extreme heat is forecast for Wichita Falls, use the temperature forecast and official NWS heat alerts to plan time outdoors. Rain radar does not measure air temperature or heat exposure, and a lack of precipitation does not establish that skies are clear or that heat is increasing. Check the forecast for the hours you will be outside, allow for access to shade or cooling, and follow local heat guidance.

How to Use Wichita Falls Weather Radar

Follow these steps to get the most from the Wichita Falls weather radar data.

Check the latest North Texas setup

Start with current conditions, then look west and northwest of Wichita Falls for dryline storms building toward the city. Spring cells can move fast across North Texas and southern Oklahoma.

Animate the radar before you drive

Play the Wichita Falls radar loop and watch how rain and hail cores are tracking toward Kell Boulevard, I-44, or Sheppard Air Force Base before heading out.

Compare radar with the hourly forecast

Use the hourly forecast to see whether a warning line keeps its strength after sunset or if heat and wind stay dominant instead of storms.

Recheck during heat or flood alerts

In summer, come back often. Wichita Falls can flip from blazing heat to a flooding thunderstorm quickly, especially when stalled cells keep dumping rain.

Who Benefits from Wichita Falls Weather Radar

How different people use the Wichita Falls radar data

Commuters & Drivers

Check I-44 and Kell Boulevard before storms or hail roll across Wichita Falls.

Outdoor Enthusiasts

Lucy Park and the Circle Trail are better when you spot storms 30 minutes early.

Event Planners & Families

Kay Yeager Coliseum plans get easier when radar shows exact storm timing downtown.

Outdoor Workers

Sheppard Air Force Base crews and field teams need fast radar checks in spring.

Wichita Falls Weather FAQ

Common questions about Wichita Falls weather patterns and radar

When is severe weather season in Wichita Falls?

The peak severe weather window in Wichita Falls usually runs from April through June, when dryline boundaries and Gulf moisture collide across North Texas. That is when tornadoes, large hail, and damaging wind are most likely. Fall can also produce strong storms, but spring is usually the busiest warning season for the city and nearby Sheppard Air Force Base.

How much rain does Wichita Falls get each year?

NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for Wichita Falls Regional Airport show 27.89 inches of precipitation a year. That is not especially wet by Gulf Coast standards, but totals can spike fast in single events. May 2015 alone brought 17.00 inches of rain, which became the wettest month ever recorded in Wichita Falls.

What was the worst tornado in Wichita Falls history?

The 1979 Terrible Tuesday tornado is the defining weather disaster in Wichita Falls. The F4 tornado killed 42 people, injured about 1,800, and left roughly 20,000 residents homeless. An earlier F5 tornado also struck on April 3, 1964, killing 7 people and injuring more than 100, so the city has a real history of violent tornadoes.

Does Wichita Falls get much snow or winter ice?

Not much compared with northern Plains cities. NOAA normals show Wichita Falls averages about 3.1 inches of snow per year, and many winters stay mostly dry. Ice and brief freezes matter more than deep snow because roads, power lines, and exposed plumbing can still be disrupted when Arctic air drops into North Texas.

How hot does Wichita Falls get in summer?

Very hot. Wichita Falls reached 117°F on June 28, 1980, and the 2011 drought produced 100 days of 100°F or higher, a remarkable mark for any Texas city. Heat is a major local hazard even on dry radar days, so forecast checks matter just as much as storm tracking from late June through August.

How is this radar different from KFDX or KAUZ weather radar in Wichita Falls?

KFDX and KAUZ pair radar with local broadcasts, meteorologist segments, and severe weather coverage, which is useful when warnings are already active. This page is built for quick map access: an interactive radar, hourly forecast, and 7-day outlook without needing to wait through autoplay video. Radar imagery updates about every 20 minutes for Wichita Falls and North Texas.