Balfour, ND Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Balfour, McHenry County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Balfour?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged heavy snow or a winter storm on 68 days in the McHenry forecast zone and McHenry County — the most common reported hazard around Balfour, mostly in December and November. Next come damaging thunderstorm winds (45 days) and high winds (43 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 68 | Feb 2026 | — |
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 45 | Jun 2026 | Jul 7, 2020 · $850,000 damage |
| High winds | 43 | May 2026 | May 25, 2010 · $30,000 damage |
| Blizzards | 41 | Dec 2025 | Jan 9, 1997 · $1.5 million damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 39 | Feb 2025 | — |
| Flooding | 10 | Apr 2023 | May 1, 2011 · $5.0 million damage |
| Flash flooding | 6 | Jun 2011 | Jul 26, 2010 · $75,000 damage |
| Ice storms & sleet | 1 | Dec 2010 | — |
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 McHenry forecast zone and McHenry County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
Which radars cover Balfour?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KMBX (Minot AFB, ND), about 34 miles north-northwest. 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 Balfour | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KMBX Minot AFB, ND | 34 mi north-northwest | 2,200 ft | Excellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground |
| KBIS Bismarck, ND | 82 mi south | 7,200 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KMVX Grand Forks, ND | 152 mi east | 18,600 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 Balfour
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 39 tornadoes within 25 miles of Balfour, 2 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in June and August. The strongest was an F2 on June 6, 1982, which passed about 23 miles northwest of town. The most recent was a tornado of unknown strength on September 14, 2025, which touched down about 13 miles south-southeast of town.
Hail: 115 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 19 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.00-inch hail on June 6, 2004.
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 Balfour'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.
Balfour radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Balfour, ND?
KMBX (Minot AFB, ND), about 34 miles north-northwest. KBIS (Bismarck, ND) is 82 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Balfour?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Balfour the lowest scan from KMBX is about 2,200 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Balfour 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 Balfour, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Velva, ND radar 20 mi
- Harvey, ND radar 30 mi
- Surrey, ND radar 34 mi
- Rugby, ND radar 38 mi
- Minot, ND radar 40 mi
- Burlington, ND radar 46 mi
- Garrison, ND radar 46 mi
- Washburn, ND radar 51 mi
- Bottineau, ND radar 61 mi