Bismarck, ND Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Bismarck, Burleigh 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 100 days in the Burleigh forecast zone and Burleigh County — the most common reported hazard around Bismarck, mostly in July and June. Next come high winds (64 days) and heavy snow & winter storms (52 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 100 | Jun 2026 | Jun 20, 2025 · $5.0 million damage |
| High winds | 64 | Mar 2026 | Jan 14, 2021 · $75,000 damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 52 | Apr 2026 | Apr 2, 2010 · $2.0 million damage |
| Blizzards | 33 | Apr 2023 | Apr 4, 1997 · $2.5 million damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 28 | Feb 2025 | Jan 29, 1996 · 1 death |
| Flash flooding | 20 | Sep 2025 | Aug 13, 2024 · $8.0 million damage |
| Flooding | 13 | Aug 2011 | Jun 2, 2011 · $20 million damage |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 6 | Aug 2024 | Jul 30, 2011 · $190,000 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 Burleigh forecast zone and Burleigh County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Bismarck get?
A normal year brings about 51 inches of snow to Bismarck, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Bismarck weather station 3.1 miles away. The snowiest month is usually December (10.1 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.5 | 8.0 | 10.1 | 8.9 | 7.5 | 8.5 | 4.6 | 0.4 |
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 KBIS (Bismarck, ND), about 3 miles south. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| KBIS Bismarck, ND | 3 mi south | 100 ft | Excellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground |
| KMBX Minot AFB, ND | 109 mi north | 11,000 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KABR Aberdeen, SD | 147 mi southeast | 17,500 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 59 tornadoes within 25 miles of Bismarck, 6 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in June and July. The strongest was an F5 on May 29, 1953, which passed about 19 miles southeast of town and caused 2 deaths. The most recent was a tornado of unknown strength on September 14, 2025, which passed about 18 miles southeast of town.
Hail: 343 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 58 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.50-inch hail on July 29, 2024.
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, ND?
KBIS (Bismarck, ND), about 3 miles south. KMBX (Minot AFB, ND) is 109 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 KBIS is about 100 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.
Radar for nearby towns
- Lincoln, ND radar 5 mi
- Mandan, ND radar 6 mi
- New Salem, ND radar 31 mi
- Washburn, ND radar 35 mi
- Linton, ND radar 46 mi
- Hazen, ND radar 52 mi
- Beulah, ND radar 57 mi