Leeds, ND Live Doppler Radar

Live radar for Leeds, Benson County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.

What weather hits Leeds?

Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged dangerous cold on 82 days in the Benson forecast zone and Benson County — the most common reported hazard around Leeds, mostly in January and February. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (74 days) and damaging thunderstorm winds (66 days).

HazardDays reportedMost recentWorst on record
Extreme cold & wind chill82Jan 2026Mar 8, 2003 · $5,000 damage
Heavy snow & winter storms74Feb 2026Nov 6, 2000 · $14,000 damage
Damaging thunderstorm winds66Jun 2026Jun 19, 2005 · $6.5 million damage
Blizzards59Nov 2024Apr 5, 1997 · $6.0 million damage
Flooding44Jul 2020Sep 1, 1999 · $25 million damage
High winds37Feb 2025May 21, 2005 · $25,000 damage
Flash flooding17Sep 2019Sep 20, 2019 · $10 million damage
Ice storms & sleet3Feb 2009Apr 4, 1997 · $6.0 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 Benson forecast zone and Benson County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.

Which radars cover Leeds?

The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KMBX (Minot AFB, ND), about 66 miles west. 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.

RadarDistanceLowest beam over LeedsView
KMBX
Minot AFB, ND
66 mi west5,200 ftGood — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly
KMVX
Grand Forks, ND
111 mi east-southeast11,300 ftLimited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms
KBIS
Bismarck, ND
122 mi south-southwest13,000 ftLimited — 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 Leeds

Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 70 tornadoes within 25 miles of Leeds, 6 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in June and July. The strongest was an F3 on May 30, 1958, which passed about 19 miles south-southwest of town. The most recent was a tornado of unknown strength on September 18, 2024, which touched down about 25 miles east-southeast of town.

Hail: 183 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 May 27, 2006.

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 Leeds'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.

Leeds radar FAQ

Where is the nearest weather radar to Leeds, ND?

KMBX (Minot AFB, ND), about 66 miles west. KMVX (Grand Forks, ND) is 111 miles away and also covers the area.

Does radar show snow in Leeds?

Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Leeds the lowest scan from KMBX is about 5,200 ft up.

Is TALON's radar for Leeds 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 Leeds, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.

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