Dawson, ND Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Dawson, Kidder County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Dawson?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged heavy snow or a winter storm on 57 days in the Kidder forecast zone and Kidder County — the most common reported hazard around Dawson, mostly in December and March. Next come high winds (53 days) and damaging thunderstorm winds (48 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 57 | Apr 2026 | — |
| High winds | 53 | May 2026 | Feb 13, 2011 · $20,000 damage |
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 48 | Jun 2026 | Jun 25, 1999 · $5.0 million damage |
| Blizzards | 38 | Apr 2023 | Jan 9, 1997 · $1.5 million damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 31 | Feb 2025 | — |
| Flash flooding | 5 | Jun 2021 | Jun 8, 2021 · $350,000 damage |
| Flooding | 3 | Apr 2009 | Apr 1, 2009 · $1.3 million damage |
| Excessive heat | 1 | Jul 2011 | — |
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 Kidder forecast zone and Kidder County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
Which radars cover Dawson?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KBIS (Bismarck, ND), about 48 miles west. 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 Dawson | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KBIS Bismarck, ND | 48 mi west | 3,400 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KABR Aberdeen, SD | 117 mi southeast | 12,200 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KMBX Minot AFB, ND | 117 mi north-northwest | 12,300 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 Dawson
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 45 tornadoes within 25 miles of Dawson, 11 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in June and July. The strongest was an F4 on July 1, 1952, which passed about 20 miles north-northwest of town and caused 1 death. The most recent was a tornado of unknown strength on September 14, 2025, which touched down about 18 miles west of town.
Hail: 134 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 15 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.50-inch hail on August 31, 1997.
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 Dawson'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.
Dawson radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Dawson, ND?
KBIS (Bismarck, ND), about 48 miles west. KABR (Aberdeen, SD) is 117 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Dawson?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Dawson the lowest scan from KBIS is about 3,400 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Dawson 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 Dawson, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Lincoln, ND radar 45 mi
- Linton, ND radar 47 mi
- Bismarck, ND radar 48 mi
- Carrington, ND radar 50 mi
- Jamestown, ND radar 50 mi
- Mandan, ND radar 54 mi