Columbus, ND Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Columbus, Burke County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Columbus?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged heavy snow or a winter storm on 55 days in the Burke forecast zone and Burke County — the most common reported hazard around Columbus, mostly in December and November. Next come high winds (44 days) and blizzards (36 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 55 | Feb 2026 | — |
| High winds | 44 | May 2026 | Feb 13, 2011 · $20,000 damage |
| Blizzards | 36 | Dec 2025 | Apr 23, 2022 · $6.0 million damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 36 | Feb 2025 | — |
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 24 | Jun 2026 | Jun 24, 2010 · $500,000 damage |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 8 | Aug 2006 | Aug 9, 2006 · $250,000 damage |
| Flooding | 2 | Apr 2023 | Jun 28, 2014 · $75,000 damage |
| Ice storms & sleet | 1 | Dec 2010 | — |
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 Burke forecast zone and Burke County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
Which radars cover Columbus?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KMBX (Minot AFB, ND), about 94 miles east-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 Columbus | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KMBX Minot AFB, ND | 94 mi east-southeast | 8,800 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KBIS Bismarck, ND | 175 mi south-southeast | 23,300 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KGGW Glasgow, MT | 182 mi west-southwest | 25,000 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 Columbus
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 27 tornadoes within 25 miles of Columbus, 2 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in July and August. The strongest was an F3 on June 14, 1950, which passed about 24 miles west-southwest of town. The most recent was an EF0 on July 21, 2012, which touched down about 11 miles west-southwest of town.
Hail: 102 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 11 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.50-inch hail on July 20, 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 Columbus'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.
Columbus radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Columbus, ND?
KMBX (Minot AFB, ND), about 94 miles east-southeast. KBIS (Bismarck, ND) is 175 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Columbus?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Columbus the lowest scan from KMBX is about 8,800 ft up, so light snow from shallow clouds can be under-shown — check NWS winter alerts too.
Is TALON's radar for Columbus 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 Columbus, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Crosby, ND radar 23 mi
- Tioga, ND radar 36 mi
- Stanley, ND radar 44 mi