Buffalo, ND Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Buffalo, Cass County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Buffalo?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 130 days in the Cass forecast zone and Cass County — the most common reported hazard around Buffalo, mostly in July and June. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (90 days) and blizzards (80 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 130 | Jun 2026 | Jul 4, 1999 · $80 million damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 90 | Apr 2026 | Nov 27, 2005 · $250,000 damage |
| Blizzards | 80 | Feb 2024 | Apr 5, 1997 · $6.0 million damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 66 | Jan 2026 | Jan 13, 2008 · 1 death |
| High winds | 47 | Jun 2026 | Jul 31, 2000 · 1 death · $3.0 million damage |
| Flash flooding | 36 | Aug 2025 | Jun 19, 2000 · $100 million damage |
| Flooding | 31 | May 2024 | Apr 3, 2011 · 2 deaths |
| Ice storms & sleet | 8 | Dec 2023 | Apr 4, 1997 · $6.0 million 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 Cass forecast zone and Cass County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
Which radars cover Buffalo?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KMVX (Grand Forks, ND), about 43 miles north-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 Buffalo | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KMVX Grand Forks, ND | 43 mi north-northeast | 2,900 ft | Excellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground |
| KABR Aberdeen, SD | 109 mi south-southwest | 11,000 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KBIS Bismarck, ND | 152 mi west | 18,600 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 Buffalo
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 90 tornadoes within 25 miles of Buffalo, 18 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in June and July. The strongest was an F5 on June 20, 1957, which passed about 10 miles east of town and caused 10 deaths. The most recent was an EF2 on June 20, 2025, which passed about 21 miles west-southwest of town.
Hail: 303 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 34 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.50-inch hail on July 17, 2001.
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 Buffalo'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.
Buffalo radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Buffalo, ND?
KMVX (Grand Forks, ND), about 43 miles north-northeast. KABR (Aberdeen, SD) is 109 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Buffalo?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Buffalo the lowest scan from KMVX is about 2,900 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Buffalo 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 Buffalo, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Casselton, ND radar 16 mi
- Valley City, ND radar 21 mi
- Mapleton, ND radar 24 mi
- West Fargo, ND radar 31 mi
- Kindred, ND radar 31 mi
- Horace, ND radar 32 mi
- Lisbon, ND radar 34 mi
- Fargo, ND radar 34 mi
- Hillsboro, ND radar 41 mi
- Mayville, ND radar 41 mi