Fort Yates, ND Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Fort Yates, Sioux County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Fort Yates?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 38 days in the Eastern Sioux forecast zone and Sioux County — the most common reported hazard around Fort Yates, mostly in June and July. Next come flash flooding (6 days) and flooding (5 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 38 | Aug 2025 | May 16, 1996 · $850,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 6 | Jul 2019 | Jul 8, 2019 · 2 deaths · $750,000 damage |
| Flooding | 5 | Aug 2011 | Mar 6, 2009 · $264,000 damage |
| Wildfires | 1 | Jul 2002 | — |
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 Eastern Sioux forecast zone and Sioux County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
Which radars cover Fort Yates?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KBIS (Bismarck, ND), about 48 miles north. 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 Fort Yates | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KBIS Bismarck, ND | 48 mi north | 3,300 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KABR Aberdeen, SD | 115 mi east-southeast | 12,000 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KMBX Minot AFB, ND | 160 mi north | 20,100 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 Fort Yates
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 48 tornadoes within 25 miles of Fort Yates, 6 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in June and July. The strongest was an F3 on June 21, 1983, which passed about 20 miles southeast of town. The most recent was a tornado of unknown strength on September 14, 2025, which touched down about 4 miles southeast of town.
Hail: 144 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 22 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 5.00-inch hail on July 13, 2010.
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 Fort Yates'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.
Fort Yates radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Fort Yates, ND?
KBIS (Bismarck, ND), about 48 miles north. KABR (Aberdeen, SD) is 115 miles away and also covers the area.
Can radar see a tornado near Fort Yates?
Radar can't see the tornado itself, but it shows the rotating storm and, once debris is lofted, a debris signature. Over Fort Yates the lowest scan from KBIS is about 3,300 ft up — good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly.
Is TALON's radar for Fort Yates 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 Fort Yates, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Linton, ND radar 23 mi
- Lincoln, ND radar 47 mi
- Bismarck, ND radar 51 mi
- Mandan, ND radar 53 mi