Alexander, ND Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Alexander, McKenzie County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Alexander?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 74 days in the McKenzie forecast zone and McKenzie County — the most common reported hazard around Alexander, mostly in July and June. Next come high winds (56 days) and heavy snow & winter storms (49 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 74 | Jun 2026 | Jun 30, 2015 · $250,000 damage |
| High winds | 56 | May 2026 | Oct 31, 1999 · $7.2 million damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 49 | Mar 2024 | Apr 18, 2006 · $150,000 damage |
| Blizzards | 35 | Dec 2025 | Apr 12, 2022 · 1 death |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 25 | Feb 2025 | — |
| Flooding | 8 | Mar 2019 | Mar 21, 2019 · $4.0 million damage |
| Wildfires | 2 | Oct 2024 | Oct 5, 2024 · $12 million damage |
| Excessive heat | 1 | Jul 2011 | — |
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 McKenzie forecast zone and McKenzie County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
Which radars cover Alexander?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KMBX (Minot AFB, ND), about 134 miles east-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 Alexander | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KMBX Minot AFB, ND | 134 mi east-northeast | 15,100 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KGGW Glasgow, MT | 140 mi west-northwest | 16,300 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KBIS Bismarck, ND | 154 mi east-southeast | 18,900 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 Alexander
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 19 tornadoes within 25 miles of Alexander, 4 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in June and July. The strongest was an EF2 on July 9, 2018, which touched down about 17 miles east-southeast of town and caused 1 death. The most recent was a tornado of unknown strength on September 17, 2025, which touched down about 8 miles east of town.
Hail: 178 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 21 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.50-inch hail on July 4, 1964.
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 Alexander'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.
Alexander radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Alexander, ND?
KMBX (Minot AFB, ND), about 134 miles east-northeast. KGGW (Glasgow, MT) is 140 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Alexander?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Alexander the lowest scan from KMBX is about 15,100 ft up, so light snow from shallow clouds can be under-shown — check NWS winter alerts too.
Is TALON's radar for Alexander 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 Alexander, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Watford City, ND radar 18 mi
- Williston, ND radar 24 mi
- Tioga, ND radar 50 mi
- New Town, ND radar 55 mi