Drake, ND Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Drake, McHenry County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Drake?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged heavy snow or a winter storm on 68 days in the McHenry forecast zone and McHenry County — the most common reported hazard around Drake, mostly in December and November. Next come damaging thunderstorm winds (45 days) and high winds (43 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 68 | Feb 2026 | — |
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 45 | Jun 2026 | Jul 7, 2020 · $850,000 damage |
| High winds | 43 | May 2026 | May 25, 2010 · $30,000 damage |
| Blizzards | 41 | Dec 2025 | Jan 9, 1997 · $1.5 million damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 39 | Feb 2025 | — |
| Flooding | 10 | Apr 2023 | May 1, 2011 · $5.0 million damage |
| Flash flooding | 6 | Jun 2011 | Jul 26, 2010 · $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 McHenry forecast zone and McHenry County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
Which radars cover Drake?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KMBX (Minot AFB, ND), about 40 miles 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 Drake | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KMBX Minot AFB, ND | 40 mi northwest | 2,600 ft | Excellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground |
| KBIS Bismarck, ND | 82 mi south-southwest | 7,100 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KMVX Grand Forks, ND | 144 mi east | 17,100 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 Drake
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 36 tornadoes within 25 miles of Drake, 1 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in July and August. The strongest was an F2 on May 20, 1965, which touched down about 24 miles south-southeast of town. The most recent was a tornado of unknown strength on September 14, 2025, which touched down about 9 miles south of town.
Hail: 131 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 23 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.00-inch hail on June 6, 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 Drake'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.
Drake radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Drake, ND?
KMBX (Minot AFB, ND), about 40 miles northwest. KBIS (Bismarck, ND) is 82 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Drake?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Drake the lowest scan from KMBX is about 2,600 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Drake 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 Drake, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Harvey, ND radar 23 mi
- Velva, ND radar 27 mi
- Rugby, ND radar 35 mi
- Surrey, ND radar 41 mi
- Minot, ND radar 47 mi
- Garrison, ND radar 52 mi
- Washburn, ND radar 53 mi
- Burlington, ND radar 53 mi
- New Rockford, ND radar 60 mi