Carson, ND Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Carson, Grant County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Carson?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged high winds on 65 days in the Grant forecast zone and Grant County — the most common reported hazard around Carson, mostly in October and March. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (56 days) and damaging thunderstorm winds (47 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| High winds | 65 | Mar 2026 | Jan 13, 2021 · $75,000 damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 56 | Apr 2026 | Apr 2, 2010 · $11 million damage |
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 47 | Jun 2026 | May 16, 1996 · $1.5 million damage |
| Blizzards | 33 | Apr 2023 | Jan 9, 1997 · $1.5 million damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 23 | Feb 2025 | — |
| Flooding | 5 | Apr 2009 | Mar 6, 2009 · $342,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 4 | Jun 2021 | Jun 8, 2021 · $150,000 damage |
| Wildfires | 2 | 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 Grant forecast zone and Grant County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Carson get?
A normal year brings about 57 inches of snow to Carson, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Elgin weather station 13 miles away. The snowiest month is usually March (12.4 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4.1 | 8.3 | 8.9 | 8.4 | 8.9 | 12.4 | 5.4 | 0.3 |
Normal snowfall in inches. TALON Pro compares this season's snow at your location with these normals as winter goes on.
Which radars cover Carson?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KBIS (Bismarck, ND), about 45 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 Carson | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KBIS Bismarck, ND | 45 mi east-northeast | 3,100 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KMBX Minot AFB, ND | 140 mi north-northeast | 16,300 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KABR Aberdeen, SD | 166 mi east-southeast | 21,400 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 Carson
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 35 tornadoes within 25 miles of Carson, 3 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in June and July. The strongest was an F4 on July 4, 1978, which passed about 2 miles south of town and caused 5 deaths. The most recent was an EF0 on July 26, 2016, which touched down about 20 miles east-southeast of town.
Hail: 187 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 27 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.50-inch hail on July 7, 1990.
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 Carson'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.
Carson radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Carson, ND?
KBIS (Bismarck, ND), about 45 miles east-northeast. KMBX (Minot AFB, ND) is 140 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Carson?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Carson the lowest scan from KBIS is about 3,100 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Carson 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 Carson, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- New Salem, ND radar 30 mi
- Mandan, ND radar 43 mi
- Bismarck, ND radar 47 mi
- Lincoln, ND radar 48 mi
- Hettinger, ND radar 59 mi
- Beulah, ND radar 59 mi
- Hazen, ND radar 61 mi