Dahlen, ND Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Dahlen, Nelson County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Dahlen?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged dangerous cold on 79 days in the Nelson forecast zone and Nelson County — the most common reported hazard around Dahlen, mostly in January and February. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (77 days) and blizzards (66 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 79 | Jan 2026 | Mar 8, 2003 · $5,000 damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 77 | Feb 2026 | Nov 6, 2000 · $2,000 damage |
| Blizzards | 66 | Dec 2025 | Apr 5, 1997 · $6.0 million damage |
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 63 | Jun 2025 | Jun 10, 2017 · $60,000 damage |
| Flooding | 42 | Aug 2011 | Aug 1, 2001 · $5.0 million damage |
| High winds | 32 | Oct 2024 | Nov 1, 1999 · $100,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 15 | Sep 2019 | Jun 12, 2000 · $14 million damage |
| Ice storms & sleet | 6 | Dec 2023 | Apr 4, 1997 · $6.0 million damage |
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 Nelson forecast zone and Nelson County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Dahlen get?
A normal year brings about 43 inches of snow to Dahlen, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Petersburg 2 N weather station 9.2 miles away. The snowiest month is usually December (10.9 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.2 | 4.9 | 10.9 | 6.3 | 7.7 | 7.7 | 2.2 | 0.6 |
Normal snowfall in inches. TALON Pro compares this season's snow at your location with these normals as winter goes on.
Which radars cover Dahlen?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KMVX (Grand Forks, ND), about 52 miles south-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 Dahlen | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KMVX Grand Forks, ND | 52 mi south-southeast | 3,700 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KMBX Minot AFB, ND | 136 mi west | 15,500 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KBIS Bismarck, ND | 163 mi southwest | 20,800 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 Dahlen
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 68 tornadoes within 25 miles of Dahlen, 3 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in June and July. The strongest was an EF3 on August 26, 2007, which passed about 22 miles south of town. The most recent was an EF1 on August 8, 2025, which touched down about 24 miles southeast of town.
Hail: 201 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 22 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.00-inch hail on July 20, 1982.
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 Dahlen'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.
Dahlen radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Dahlen, ND?
KMVX (Grand Forks, ND), about 52 miles south-southeast. KMBX (Minot AFB, ND) is 136 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Dahlen?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Dahlen the lowest scan from KMVX is about 3,700 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Dahlen 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 Dahlen, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Park River, ND radar 18 mi
- Larimore, ND radar 22 mi
- Grafton, ND radar 30 mi
- Grand Forks, ND radar 42 mi
- Devils Lake, ND radar 44 mi
- Cavalier, ND radar 46 mi
- Langdon, ND radar 46 mi
- Thompson, ND radar 47 mi
- Mayville, ND radar 54 mi