Colfax, ND Live Doppler Radar

Live radar for Colfax, Richland County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.

Open live radar for Colfax What TALON shows

What weather hits Colfax?

Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 99 days in the Richland forecast zone and Richland County — the most common reported hazard around Colfax, mostly in July and June. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (87 days) and blizzards (79 days).

Hazard	Days reported	Most recent	Worst on record
Damaging thunderstorm winds	99	Jun 2026	Jul 10, 2011 · $1.5 million damage
Heavy snow & winter storms	87	Apr 2026	Nov 27, 2005 · $2.0 million damage
Blizzards	79	Dec 2025	Apr 5, 1997 · $6.0 million damage
Extreme cold & wind chill	60	Jan 2026	Mar 8, 2003 · $50,000 damage
Flooding	34	May 2024	Apr 5, 1997 · $50 million damage
Flash flooding	34	Jul 2016	Aug 12, 2008 · $330,000 damage
High winds	32	Jun 2026	Jun 11, 2008 · $200,000 damage
Ice storms & sleet	6	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 Richland forecast zone and Richland County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.

Which radars cover Colfax?

The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KMVX (Grand Forks, ND), about 76 miles north-northwest. 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 Colfax	View
KMVX Grand Forks, ND	76 mi north-northwest	6,400 ft	Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation
KABR Aberdeen, SD	102 mi southwest	9,900 ft	Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation
KBIS Bismarck, ND	186 mi west	25,800 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 Colfax

Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 86 tornadoes within 25 miles of Colfax, 12 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in July and June. The strongest was an F4 on July 2, 1955, which passed about 2 miles north of town and caused 2 deaths. The most recent was a tornado of unknown strength on September 18, 2025, which touched down about 13 miles west-southwest of town.

Hail: 273 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 33 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.50-inch hail on May 11, 2004.

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 Colfax'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.

Colfax radar FAQ

Where is the nearest weather radar to Colfax, ND?

KMVX (Grand Forks, ND), about 76 miles north-northwest. KABR (Aberdeen, SD) is 102 miles away and also covers the area.

Does radar show snow in Colfax?

Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Colfax the lowest scan from KMVX is about 6,400 ft up, so light snow from shallow clouds can be under-shown — check NWS winter alerts too.

Is TALON's radar for Colfax 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 Colfax, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.

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