Balta, ND Live Doppler Radar

Live radar for Balta, Pierce County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.

Open live radar for BaltaWhat TALON shows

What weather hits Balta?

Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged heavy snow or a winter storm on 59 days in the Pierce forecast zone and Pierce County — the most common reported hazard around Balta, mostly in December and January. Next come blizzards (44 days) and extreme cold & wind chill (39 days).

HazardDays reportedMost recentWorst on record
Heavy snow & winter storms59Feb 2026Nov 6, 2008 · $30,000 damage
Blizzards44Dec 2025Jan 9, 1997 · $1.5 million damage
Extreme cold & wind chill39Feb 2025—
High winds39May 2026Jul 28, 2015 · $45,000 damage
Damaging thunderstorm winds35Jun 2026Jun 19, 2005 · $1.8 million damage
Flooding3Apr 2009Apr 1, 2009 · $271,000 damage
Flash flooding2Sep 2024Sep 16, 2024 · $35,000 damage
Excessive heat1Jul 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 Pierce forecast zone and Pierce County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.

How much snow does Balta get?

A normal year brings about 43 inches of snow to Balta, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Rugby weather station 13.2 miles away. The snowiest month is usually January (8.0 in).

OctNovDecJanFebMarAprMay
3.37.48.08.06.46.52.90.9

Normal snowfall in inches. TALON Pro compares this season's snow at your location with these normals as winter goes on.

Which radars cover Balta?

The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KMBX (Minot AFB, ND), about 41 miles west-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.

RadarDistanceLowest beam over BaltaView
KMBX
Minot AFB, ND		41 mi west-northwest2,700 ftExcellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground
KBIS
Bismarck, ND		102 mi south-southwest9,900 ftFair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation
KMVX
Grand Forks, ND		133 mi east-southeast15,000 ftLimited — 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 Balta

Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 32 tornadoes within 25 miles of Balta, 4 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in July and June. The strongest was an F3 on May 30, 1958, which passed about 19 miles southeast of town. The most recent was an EF0 on May 23, 2020, which touched down about 25 miles east-northeast of town.

Hail: 171 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 17 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 2.75-inch hail on June 27, 2025.

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 Balta'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.

Balta radar FAQ

Where is the nearest weather radar to Balta, ND?

KMBX (Minot AFB, ND), about 41 miles west-northwest. KBIS (Bismarck, ND) is 102 miles away and also covers the area.

Does radar show snow in Balta?

Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Balta the lowest scan from KMBX is about 2,700 ft up.

Is TALON's radar for Balta 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 Balta, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.

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