Ellendale, ND Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Ellendale, Dickey County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Ellendale?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged heavy snow or a winter storm on 62 days in the Dickey forecast zone and Dickey County — the most common reported hazard around Ellendale, mostly in December and March. Next come blizzards (51 days) and damaging thunderstorm winds (45 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 62 | Apr 2026 | Oct 10, 2018 · $400,000 damage |
| Blizzards | 51 | Apr 2023 | Apr 4, 1997 · $1.5 million damage |
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 45 | Jun 2026 | Jul 10, 2011 · $2.3 million damage |
| High winds | 38 | Mar 2026 | Feb 13, 2011 · $20,000 damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 29 | Feb 2025 | — |
| Flash flooding | 8 | Jul 2018 | Jun 7, 2005 · $750,000 damage |
| Flooding | 5 | Apr 2023 | Jul 10, 2011 · $500,000 damage |
| Ice storms & sleet | 4 | Dec 2023 | Dec 25, 2023 · $1.0 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 Dickey forecast zone and Dickey County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Ellendale get?
A normal year brings about 37 inches of snow to Ellendale, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Fullerton 1 Ese weather station 12.2 miles away. The snowiest month is usually December (7.3 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.6 | 4.2 | 7.3 | 7.2 | 6.0 | 6.9 | 3.7 | 0.0 |
Normal snowfall in inches. TALON Pro compares this season's snow at your location with these normals as winter goes on.
Which radars cover Ellendale?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KABR (Aberdeen, SD), about 38 miles south. 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 Ellendale | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KABR Aberdeen, SD | 38 mi south | 2,500 ft | Excellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground |
| KBIS Bismarck, ND | 119 mi west-northwest | 12,600 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KMVX Grand Forks, ND | 120 mi north-northeast | 12,700 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 Ellendale
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 60 tornadoes within 25 miles of Ellendale, 12 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in June and July. The strongest was an F4 on June 23, 2002, which passed about 15 miles south-southeast of town. The most recent was an EF1 on August 9, 2020, which touched down about 25 miles north of town.
Hail: 196 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 28 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.50-inch hail on June 23, 2002.
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 Ellendale'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.
Ellendale radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Ellendale, ND?
KABR (Aberdeen, SD), about 38 miles south. KBIS (Bismarck, ND) is 119 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Ellendale?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Ellendale the lowest scan from KABR is about 2,500 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Ellendale 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 Ellendale, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Oakes, ND radar 23 mi
- Lisbon, ND radar 50 mi