Alsen, ND Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Alsen, Cavalier County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Alsen?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged dangerous cold on 84 days in the Cavalier forecast zone and Cavalier County — the most common reported hazard around Alsen, mostly in January and February. Next come blizzards (75 days) and heavy snow & winter storms (67 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 84 | Jan 2026 | Mar 8, 2003 · $5,000 damage |
| Blizzards | 75 | Jan 2026 | Apr 5, 1997 · $6.0 million damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 67 | Mar 2026 | Nov 6, 2000 · $14,000 damage |
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 51 | Jun 2026 | Jun 9, 2017 · $3.5 million damage |
| High winds | 31 | May 2026 | Oct 31, 1999 · $4,000 damage |
| Flooding | 15 | Apr 2017 | Apr 28, 2013 · 1 death · $5,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 6 | Sep 2024 | Jul 12, 1997 · $260,000 damage |
| Ice storms & sleet | 5 | Feb 2009 | Apr 4, 1997 · $6.0 million 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 Cavalier forecast zone and Cavalier County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Alsen get?
A normal year brings about 38 inches of snow to Alsen, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Edmore 4Nw weather station 14.7 miles away. The snowiest month is usually December (9.3 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.1 | 5.7 | 9.3 | 6.9 | 4.5 | 5.1 | 3.7 | 0.7 |
Normal snowfall in inches. TALON Pro compares this season's snow at your location with these normals as winter goes on.
Which radars cover Alsen?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KMVX (Grand Forks, ND), about 99 miles southeast. 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 Alsen | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KMVX Grand Forks, ND | 99 mi southeast | 9,500 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KMBX Minot AFB, ND | 100 mi west | 9,600 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KBIS Bismarck, ND | 160 mi southwest | 20,200 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 Alsen
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 50 tornadoes within 25 miles of Alsen, 4 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in June and July. The strongest was an EF2 on August 3, 2016, which passed about 23 miles west of town. The most recent was an EF0 on July 7, 2025, which touched down about 11 miles west of town.
Hail: 179 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 20 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.50-inch hail on July 19, 2003.
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 Alsen'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.
Alsen radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Alsen, ND?
KMVX (Grand Forks, ND), about 99 miles southeast. KMBX (Minot AFB, ND) is 100 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Alsen?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Alsen the lowest scan from KMVX is about 9,500 ft up, so light snow from shallow clouds can be under-shown — check NWS winter alerts too.
Is TALON's radar for Alsen 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 Alsen, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Langdon, ND radar 18 mi
- Cando, ND radar 25 mi
- Devils Lake, ND radar 37 mi
- Rolla, ND radar 44 mi
- Park River, ND radar 47 mi
- Cavalier, ND radar 51 mi
- Grafton, ND radar 61 mi
- Rugby, ND radar 62 mi