Napoleon, ND Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Napoleon, Logan County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Napoleon?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged heavy snow or a winter storm on 59 days in the Logan forecast zone and Logan County — the most common reported hazard around Napoleon, mostly in March and December. Next come blizzards (42 days) and high winds (40 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 59 | Apr 2026 | — |
| Blizzards | 42 | Apr 2023 | Jan 15, 1997 · 2 deaths · $900,000 damage |
| High winds | 40 | Mar 2026 | Feb 13, 2011 · $20,000 damage |
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 31 | Jun 2026 | Jun 22, 2016 · $1.3 million damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 28 | Feb 2025 | — |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 4 | Jul 2018 | Jul 19, 1997 · $50,000 damage |
| Flooding | 3 | Apr 2009 | Mar 6, 2009 · $121,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 3 | Aug 2014 | Aug 16, 2014 · $350,000 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 Logan forecast zone and Logan County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Napoleon get?
A normal year brings about 53 inches of snow to Napoleon, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Napoleon weather station in town. The snowiest month is usually December (11.0 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.5 | 6.6 | 11.0 | 9.6 | 7.9 | 9.2 | 5.7 | 0.7 |
Normal snowfall in inches. TALON Pro compares this season's snow at your location with these normals as winter goes on.
Which radars cover Napoleon?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KBIS (Bismarck, ND), about 51 miles west-northwest. 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 Napoleon | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KBIS Bismarck, ND | 51 mi west-northwest | 3,600 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KABR Aberdeen, SD | 97 mi southeast | 9,200 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KMVX Grand Forks, ND | 135 mi east-northeast | 15,400 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 Napoleon
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 39 tornadoes within 25 miles of Napoleon, 10 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in July and June. The strongest was an F3 on July 1, 1955, which touched down about 24 miles west-southwest of town. The most recent was a tornado of unknown strength on June 27, 2025, which touched down about 20 miles northwest of town.
Hail: 163 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 22 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.50-inch hail on August 31, 1997.
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 Napoleon'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.
Napoleon radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Napoleon, ND?
KBIS (Bismarck, ND), about 51 miles west-northwest. KABR (Aberdeen, SD) is 97 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Napoleon?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Napoleon the lowest scan from KBIS is about 3,600 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Napoleon 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 Napoleon, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Linton, ND radar 27 mi
- Lincoln, ND radar 48 mi
- Bismarck, ND radar 52 mi
- Mandan, ND radar 58 mi
- Jamestown, ND radar 58 mi