Blacktail, ND Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Blacktail, Williams County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Blacktail?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 66 days in the Williams forecast zone and Williams County — the most common reported hazard around Blacktail, mostly in July and June. Next come high winds (55 days) and heavy snow & winter storms (54 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 66 | Jun 2026 | Sep 3, 2014 · $1.5 million damage |
| High winds | 55 | May 2026 | Jan 13, 2021 · $50,000 damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 54 | Feb 2026 | Jan 1, 1999 · 2 deaths |
| Blizzards | 31 | Dec 2025 | Apr 23, 2022 · $15 million damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 31 | Feb 2025 | Feb 1, 2011 · 1 death |
| Flooding | 8 | Jun 2014 | Mar 17, 2003 · $300,000 damage |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 3 | Jul 2010 | Jul 29, 2010 · $25,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 3 | Jun 2021 | Jun 10, 2021 · $800,000 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 Williams forecast zone and Williams County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
Which radars cover Blacktail?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KMBX (Minot AFB, ND), about 132 miles east. 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 Blacktail | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KMBX Minot AFB, ND | 132 mi east | 14,800 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KGGW Glasgow, MT | 134 mi west | 15,100 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KBIS Bismarck, ND | 180 mi southeast | 24,500 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 Blacktail
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 17 tornadoes within 25 miles of Blacktail, 2 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in July and June. The strongest was an F2 on June 27, 1982, which touched down about 20 miles south-southwest of town. The most recent was a tornado of unknown strength on June 10, 2021, which touched down about 21 miles south-southeast of town.
Hail: 123 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 9 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 3.00-inch hail on July 18, 2022.
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 Blacktail'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.
Blacktail radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Blacktail, ND?
KMBX (Minot AFB, ND), about 132 miles east. KGGW (Glasgow, MT) is 134 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Blacktail?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Blacktail the lowest scan from KMBX is about 14,800 ft up, so light snow from shallow clouds can be under-shown — check NWS winter alerts too.
Is TALON's radar for Blacktail 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 Blacktail, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
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- Watford City, ND radar 49 mi