Grand Forks, ND Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Grand Forks, Grand Forks County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Grand Forks?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 136 days in the Grand Forks forecast zone and Grand Forks County — the most common reported hazard around Grand Forks, mostly in July and June. Next come blizzards (86 days) and heavy snow & winter storms (81 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 136 | Oct 2025 | Aug 8, 2001 · $18 million damage |
| Blizzards | 86 | Jan 2026 | Apr 5, 1997 · $6.0 million damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 81 | Mar 2026 | Nov 6, 2000 · $2,000 damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 72 | Jan 2026 | Mar 8, 2003 · $50,000 damage |
| High winds | 40 | Feb 2026 | Jun 13, 2017 · $800,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 35 | Jul 2025 | Jun 12, 2000 · 2 deaths · $4.0 million damage |
| Flooding | 24 | Jul 2024 | Apr 1, 2006 · 1 death · $887,000 damage |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 7 | Jul 2012 | Jul 4, 2012 · $80,000 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 Grand Forks forecast zone and Grand Forks County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Grand Forks get?
A normal year brings about 49 inches of snow to Grand Forks, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Grand Forks Univ (Nws) weather station in town. The snowiest month is usually December (13.5 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.5 | 5.1 | 13.5 | 9.5 | 8.2 | 7.8 | 3.0 | 0.1 |
Normal snowfall in inches. TALON Pro compares this season's snow at your location with these normals as winter goes on.
Which radars cover Grand Forks?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KMVX (Grand Forks, ND), about 29 miles south-southwest. 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 Grand Forks | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KMVX Grand Forks, ND | 29 mi south-southwest | 1,800 ft | Excellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground |
| KMBX Minot AFB, ND | 177 mi west-northwest | 23,900 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KABR Aberdeen, SD | 181 mi south-southwest | 24,800 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 Grand Forks
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 127 tornadoes within 25 miles of Grand Forks, 19 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in June and July. The strongest was an EF4 on August 26, 2007, which passed about 24 miles west-southwest of town and caused 1 death. The most recent was an EF0 on August 8, 2025, which touched down about 22 miles southwest of town.
Hail: 295 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 22 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 3.00-inch hail on June 27, 2015.
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 Grand Forks'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.
Grand Forks radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Grand Forks, ND?
KMVX (Grand Forks, ND), about 29 miles south-southwest. KMBX (Minot AFB, ND) is 177 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Grand Forks?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Grand Forks the lowest scan from KMVX is about 1,800 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Grand Forks 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 Grand Forks, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Thompson, ND radar 10 mi
- Larimore, ND radar 25 mi
- Mayville, ND radar 31 mi
- Hillsboro, ND radar 36 mi
- Grafton, ND radar 37 mi
- Park River, ND radar 44 mi