Bowman, ND Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Bowman, Bowman County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Bowman?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged high winds on 86 days in the Bowman forecast zone and Bowman County — the most common reported hazard around Bowman, mostly in October and March. Next come damaging thunderstorm winds (52 days) and heavy snow & winter storms (46 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| High winds | 86 | Mar 2026 | Jun 16, 2025 · $100,000 damage |
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 52 | Jun 2026 | Jun 6, 2020 · $400,000 damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 46 | Apr 2026 | Oct 4, 2013 · $50,000 damage |
| Blizzards | 33 | Dec 2025 | Jan 9, 1997 · $1.5 million damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 20 | Feb 2025 | — |
| Flooding | 3 | Mar 2009 | Jun 6, 2007 · $550,000 damage |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 2 | Jun 2001 | — |
| Wildfires | 1 | Jul 2006 | — |
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 Bowman forecast zone and Bowman County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Bowman get?
A normal year brings about 48 inches of snow to Bowman, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Bowman weather station 1.6 miles away. The snowiest month is usually April (8.0 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.9 | 5.4 | 6.4 | 7.6 | 7.6 | 7.4 | 8.0 | 1.9 |
Normal snowfall in inches. TALON Pro compares this season's snow at your location with these normals as winter goes on.
Which radars cover Bowman?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KBIS (Bismarck, ND), about 132 miles east-northeast. 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 Bowman | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KBIS Bismarck, ND | 132 mi east-northeast | 14,800 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KUDX Rapid City, SD | 145 mi south-southeast | 17,200 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KMBX Minot AFB, ND | 194 mi northeast | 27,600 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 Bowman
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 25 tornadoes within 25 miles of Bowman, 2 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in June and August. The strongest was an F3 on July 19, 1952, which passed about 13 miles north of town. The most recent was an EF1 on June 30, 2015, which passed about 14 miles south of town.
Hail: 200 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 17, 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 Bowman'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.
Bowman radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Bowman, ND?
KBIS (Bismarck, ND), about 132 miles east-northeast. KUDX (Rapid City, SD) is 145 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Bowman?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Bowman the lowest scan from KBIS 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 Bowman 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 Bowman, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Hettinger, ND radar 39 mi
- Dickinson, ND radar 57 mi