Center, ND Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Center, Oliver County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Center?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged high winds on 53 days in the Oliver forecast zone and Oliver County — the most common reported hazard around Center, mostly in March and October. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (53 days) and damaging thunderstorm winds (34 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| High winds | 53 | Mar 2026 | May 25, 2010 · $30,000 damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 53 | Apr 2026 | Apr 2, 2010 · $950,000 damage |
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 34 | Jun 2026 | Jul 21, 2014 · $100,000 damage |
| Blizzards | 33 | Apr 2023 | Jan 9, 1997 · $1.5 million damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 25 | Feb 2025 | — |
| Flooding | 6 | Aug 2011 | Jun 2, 2011 · $500,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 4 | Aug 2021 | Aug 30, 2021 · $35,000 damage |
| Ice storms & sleet | 2 | Dec 2023 | — |
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 Oliver forecast zone and Oliver County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
Which radars cover Center?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KBIS (Bismarck, ND), about 35 miles southeast. 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 Center | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KBIS Bismarck, ND | 35 mi southeast | 2,200 ft | Excellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground |
| KMBX Minot AFB, ND | 91 mi north-northeast | 8,300 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KABR Aberdeen, SD | 179 mi southeast | 24,300 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 Center
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 60 tornadoes within 25 miles of Center, 6 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in June and July. The strongest was an F3 on June 18, 1956, which passed about 19 miles northwest of town. The most recent was a tornado of unknown strength on June 27, 2025, which passed about 9 miles southwest of town.
Hail: 283 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 40 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.25-inch hail on June 18, 2008.
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 Center'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.
Center radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Center, ND?
KBIS (Bismarck, ND), about 35 miles southeast. KMBX (Minot AFB, ND) is 91 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Center?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Center the lowest scan from KBIS is about 2,200 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Center 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 Center, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Washburn, ND radar 18 mi
- New Salem, ND radar 20 mi
- Hazen, ND radar 20 mi
- Beulah, ND radar 25 mi
- Mandan, ND radar 28 mi
- Bismarck, ND radar 32 mi
- Lincoln, ND radar 37 mi
- Garrison, ND radar 38 mi