Buchanan, ND Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Buchanan, Stutsman County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Buchanan?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 82 days in the Stutsman forecast zone and Stutsman County — the most common reported hazard around Buchanan, mostly in July and June. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (61 days) and blizzards (50 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 82 | Jun 2026 | Jun 20, 2025 · 1 death · $500,000 damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 61 | Apr 2026 | Dec 30, 2006 · $70,000 damage |
| Blizzards | 50 | Dec 2025 | Apr 4, 1997 · $2.0 million damage |
| High winds | 47 | Mar 2026 | Feb 13, 2011 · $20,000 damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 35 | Feb 2025 | — |
| Flash flooding | 18 | Jun 2024 | Jun 2, 2024 · $650,000 damage |
| Flooding | 6 | Jun 2024 | Apr 1, 2009 · $502,000 damage |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 4 | Jul 2010 | Jul 13, 2010 · $5,000 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 Stutsman forecast zone and Stutsman County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Buchanan get?
A normal year brings about 46 inches of snow to Buchanan, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Jamestown State Hosp weather station 14.1 miles away. The snowiest month is usually December (11.8 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.9 | 4.2 | 11.8 | 11.4 | 7.4 | 6.5 | 2.5 | 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 Buchanan?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KMVX (Grand Forks, ND), about 77 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 Buchanan | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KMVX Grand Forks, ND | 77 mi east-northeast | 6,600 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KBIS Bismarck, ND | 93 mi west-southwest | 8,700 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KABR Aberdeen, SD | 113 mi south | 11,600 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 Buchanan
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 61 tornadoes within 25 miles of Buchanan, 7 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in June and August. The strongest was an F4 on August 11, 2002, which touched down about 23 miles west-southwest of town. The most recent was a tornado of unknown strength on June 28, 2025, which touched down about 22 miles north-northwest of town.
Hail: 138 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 17 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.50-inch hail on August 31, 1997.
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 Buchanan'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.
Buchanan radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Buchanan, ND?
KMVX (Grand Forks, ND), about 77 miles east-northeast. KBIS (Bismarck, ND) is 93 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Buchanan?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Buchanan the lowest scan from KMVX is about 6,600 ft up, so light snow from shallow clouds can be under-shown — check NWS winter alerts too.
Is TALON's radar for Buchanan 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 Buchanan, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Jamestown, ND radar 13 mi
- Carrington, ND radar 30 mi
- Valley City, ND radar 40 mi
- New Rockford, ND radar 45 mi