Kensal, ND Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Kensal, Stutsman County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Kensal?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 82 days in the Stutsman forecast zone and Stutsman County — the most common reported hazard around Kensal, mostly in July and June. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (61 days) and blizzards (50 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 82 | Jun 2026 | Jun 20, 2025 · 1 death · $500,000 damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 61 | Apr 2026 | Dec 30, 2006 · $70,000 damage |
| Blizzards | 50 | Dec 2025 | Apr 4, 1997 · $2.0 million damage |
| High winds | 47 | Mar 2026 | Feb 13, 2011 · $20,000 damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 35 | Feb 2025 | — |
| Flash flooding | 18 | Jun 2024 | Jun 2, 2024 · $650,000 damage |
| Flooding | 6 | Jun 2024 | Apr 1, 2009 · $502,000 damage |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 4 | Jul 2010 | Jul 13, 2010 · $5,000 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 Stutsman forecast zone and Stutsman County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Kensal get?
A normal year brings about 35 inches of snow to Kensal, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Courtenay 1 Nw weather station 8.1 miles away. The snowiest month is usually December (9.1 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.1 | 3.8 | 9.1 | 6.8 | 5.5 | 4.9 | 2.4 | 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 Kensal?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KMVX (Grand Forks, ND), about 68 miles east-northeast. 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 Kensal | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KMVX Grand Forks, ND | 68 mi east-northeast | 5,400 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KBIS Bismarck, ND | 102 mi west-southwest | 9,900 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KMBX Minot AFB, ND | 124 mi northwest | 13,500 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 Kensal
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 50 tornadoes within 25 miles of Kensal, 7 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in June and July. The strongest was an F3 on August 23, 1968, which passed about 9 miles southeast of town. The most recent was an EF1 on August 8, 2025, which touched down about 23 miles east-northeast of town.
Hail: 128 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 13 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 3.00-inch hail on June 2, 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 Kensal'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.
Kensal radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Kensal, ND?
KMVX (Grand Forks, ND), about 68 miles east-northeast. KBIS (Bismarck, ND) is 102 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Kensal?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Kensal the lowest scan from KMVX is about 5,400 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Kensal 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 Kensal, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Carrington, ND radar 21 mi
- Jamestown, ND radar 27 mi
- New Rockford, ND radar 32 mi
- Valley City, ND radar 43 mi
- Devils Lake, ND radar 57 mi