Dickinson, ND Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Dickinson, Stark County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Dickinson?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged high winds on 85 days in the Stark forecast zone and Stark County — the most common reported hazard around Dickinson, mostly in March and October. Next come damaging thunderstorm winds (70 days) and heavy snow & winter storms (49 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| High winds | 85 | May 2026 | Jul 28, 2015 · $55,000 damage |
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 70 | Jun 2026 | Jun 19, 2005 · $3.0 million damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 49 | Apr 2026 | — |
| Blizzards | 33 | Dec 2025 | Apr 4, 1997 · $2.0 million damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 23 | Feb 2025 | — |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 8 | Aug 2019 | Aug 4, 2019 · 1 death |
| Flash flooding | 4 | Jul 2022 | Jul 3, 2022 · $500,000 damage |
| Flooding | 3 | Aug 2014 | Aug 15, 2014 · $725,000 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 Stark forecast zone and Stark County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
Which radars cover Dickinson?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KBIS (Bismarck, ND), about 97 miles east. 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 Dickinson | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KBIS Bismarck, ND | 97 mi east | 9,100 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KMBX Minot AFB, ND | 137 mi northeast | 15,700 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KUDX Rapid City, SD | 191 mi south | 27,100 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 Dickinson
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 36 tornadoes within 25 miles of Dickinson, 5 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in June and July. The strongest was an EF3 on July 8, 2009, which touched down about 2 miles south of town. The most recent was an EF1 on June 19, 2025, which touched down about 10 miles south-southwest of town.
Hail: 219 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 40 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 3.00-inch hail on June 19, 2025.
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 Dickinson'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.
Dickinson radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Dickinson, ND?
KBIS (Bismarck, ND), about 97 miles east. KMBX (Minot AFB, ND) is 137 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Dickinson?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Dickinson the lowest scan from KBIS is about 9,100 ft up, so light snow from shallow clouds can be under-shown — check NWS winter alerts too.
Is TALON's radar for Dickinson 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 Dickinson, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Beulah, ND radar 55 mi
- Bowman, ND radar 57 mi
- Hazen, ND radar 62 mi
- Hettinger, ND radar 62 mi