Medora, ND Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Medora, Billings County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Medora?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged high winds on 73 days in the Billings forecast zone and Billings County — the most common reported hazard around Medora, mostly in March and October. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (47 days) and blizzards (33 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| High winds | 73 | Jun 2026 | Feb 13, 2011 · $20,000 damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 47 | Apr 2026 | — |
| Blizzards | 33 | Dec 2025 | Jan 9, 1997 · $1.5 million damage |
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 23 | Jul 2025 | Jul 10, 2022 · $1.0 million damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 21 | Feb 2025 | — |
| Flooding | 3 | May 2011 | May 22, 2011 · $50,000 damage |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 3 | Aug 2000 | Aug 3, 1996 · $8,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 3 | Aug 2016 | Jul 22, 2011 · $25,000 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 Billings forecast zone and Billings County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Medora get?
A normal year brings about 30 inches of snow to Medora, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Medora weather station in town. The snowiest month is usually February (7.2 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.8 | 3.0 | 6.0 | 4.4 | 7.2 | 3.8 | 3.4 | 0.4 |
Normal snowfall in inches. TALON Pro compares this season's snow at your location with these normals as winter goes on.
Which radars cover Medora?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KBIS (Bismarck, ND), about 131 miles east. 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 Medora | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KBIS Bismarck, ND | 131 mi east | 14,600 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KMBX Minot AFB, ND | 161 mi northeast | 20,300 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KGGW Glasgow, MT | 170 mi west-northwest | 22,300 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 Medora
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 20 tornadoes within 25 miles of Medora, 5 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in June and July. The strongest was an F3 on July 19, 1952, which passed about 18 miles west-northwest of town and caused 1 death. The most recent was a tornado of unknown strength on June 27, 2024, which touched down about 24 miles north-northwest of town.
Hail: 175 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 34 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.50-inch hail on June 8, 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 Medora'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.
Medora radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Medora, ND?
KBIS (Bismarck, ND), about 131 miles east. KMBX (Minot AFB, ND) is 161 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Medora?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Medora the lowest scan from KBIS is about 14,600 ft up, so light snow from shallow clouds can be under-shown — check NWS winter alerts too.
Is TALON's radar for Medora 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 Medora, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Dickinson, ND radar 35 mi
- Bowman, ND radar 51 mi