Bismarck, AR Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Bismarck, Hot Spring County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Bismarck?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 131 days in the Hot Spring forecast zone and Hot Spring County — the most common reported hazard around Bismarck, mostly in June and July. Next come flash flooding (49 days) and heavy snow & winter storms (20 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 131 | Mar 2026 | Oct 2, 2014 · 1 death · $50,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 49 | Jun 2026 | Sep 2, 2008 · $260,000 damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 20 | Jan 2026 | Dec 25, 2012 · $5.0 million damage |
| Excessive heat | 10 | Sep 2012 | — |
| Flooding | 9 | Feb 2018 | May 1, 2011 · $1.5 million damage |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 6 | Jun 2008 | Jun 9, 2008 · 1 death · $25,000 damage |
| Ice storms & sleet | 5 | Feb 2023 | Feb 16, 2015 · $100,000 damage |
| Wildfires | 5 | Jul 2013 | — |
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 Hot Spring forecast zone and Hot Spring County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Bismarck get?
A normal year brings about 2.3 inches of snow to Bismarck, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Bonnerdale 5 E weather station 7.6 miles away. The snowiest month is usually February (0.9 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.2 | 0.8 | 0.9 | 0.4 | 0.0 | 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 Bismarck?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KLZK (Little Rock, AR), about 63 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 Bismarck | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KLZK Little Rock, AR | 63 mi northeast | 4,900 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KSRX Fort Smith, AR | 95 mi northwest | 8,900 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KSHV Shreveport, LA | 135 mi south-southwest | 15,300 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 Bismarck
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 93 tornadoes within 25 miles of Bismarck, 28 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in May and April. The strongest was an F4 on March 1, 1997, which passed about 15 miles southeast of town and caused 6 deaths. The most recent was an EF1 on October 18, 2025, which touched down about 5 miles southeast of town.
Hail: 379 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 41 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.50-inch hail on March 29, 1976.
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 Bismarck'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.
Bismarck radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Bismarck, AR?
KLZK (Little Rock, AR), about 63 miles northeast. KSRX (Fort Smith, AR) is 95 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Bismarck?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Bismarck the lowest scan from KLZK is about 4,900 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Bismarck 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 Bismarck, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
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