Cathay, ND Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Cathay, Wells County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Cathay?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged heavy snow or a winter storm on 61 days in the Wells forecast zone and Wells County — the most common reported hazard around Cathay, mostly in December and January. Next come high winds (49 days) and blizzards (47 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 61 | Apr 2026 | — |
| High winds | 49 | Mar 2026 | Jan 31, 2009 · $60,000 damage |
| Blizzards | 47 | Dec 2025 | Jan 9, 1997 · $1.5 million damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 37 | Feb 2025 | — |
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 37 | Jun 2026 | May 24, 2010 · $200,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 10 | Jun 2022 | Sep 20, 2019 · $1.2 million damage |
| Flooding | 6 | Apr 2023 | Apr 1, 2009 · $2.4 million damage |
| Ice storms & sleet | 2 | Dec 2023 | Nov 1, 1996 · 1 death |
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 Wells forecast zone and Wells County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Cathay get?
A normal year brings about 34 inches of snow to Cathay, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Fessenden weather station 11.7 miles away. The snowiest month is usually December (9.2 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.6 | 4.5 | 9.2 | 7.5 | 5.2 | 4.6 | 1.8 | 0.1 |
Normal snowfall in inches. TALON Pro compares this season's snow at your location with these normals as winter goes on.
Which radars cover Cathay?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KBIS (Bismarck, ND), about 83 miles southwest. 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 Cathay | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KBIS Bismarck, ND | 83 mi southwest | 7,300 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KMBX Minot AFB, ND | 89 mi northwest | 8,000 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KMVX Grand Forks, ND | 97 mi east | 9,200 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
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 Cathay
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 45 tornadoes within 25 miles of Cathay, 4 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in July and June. The strongest was an F4 on July 1, 1952, which passed about 25 miles south of town and caused 1 death. The most recent was an EF1 on June 20, 2025, which passed about 23 miles east-southeast of town.
Hail: 165 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 23 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.50-inch hail on July 28, 1996.
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 Cathay'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.
Cathay radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Cathay, ND?
KBIS (Bismarck, ND), about 83 miles southwest. KMBX (Minot AFB, ND) is 89 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Cathay?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Cathay the lowest scan from KBIS is about 7,300 ft up, so light snow from shallow clouds can be under-shown — check NWS winter alerts too.
Is TALON's radar for Cathay 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 Cathay, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Carrington, ND radar 15 mi
- New Rockford, ND radar 15 mi
- Harvey, ND radar 29 mi
- Devils Lake, ND radar 46 mi
- Jamestown, ND radar 56 mi