Oakes, ND Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Oakes, Dickey County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Oakes?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged heavy snow or a winter storm on 62 days in the Dickey forecast zone and Dickey County — the most common reported hazard around Oakes, mostly in December and March. Next come blizzards (51 days) and damaging thunderstorm winds (45 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 62 | Apr 2026 | Oct 10, 2018 · $400,000 damage |
| Blizzards | 51 | Apr 2023 | Apr 4, 1997 · $1.5 million damage |
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 45 | Jun 2026 | Jul 10, 2011 · $2.3 million damage |
| High winds | 38 | Mar 2026 | Feb 13, 2011 · $20,000 damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 29 | Feb 2025 | — |
| Flash flooding | 8 | Jul 2018 | Jun 7, 2005 · $750,000 damage |
| Flooding | 5 | Apr 2023 | Jul 10, 2011 · $500,000 damage |
| Ice storms & sleet | 4 | Dec 2023 | Dec 25, 2023 · $1.0 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 Dickey forecast zone and Dickey County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Oakes get?
A normal year brings about 37 inches of snow to Oakes, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Fullerton 1 Ese weather station 15 miles away. The snowiest month is usually December (7.3 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.6 | 4.2 | 7.3 | 7.2 | 6.0 | 6.9 | 3.7 | 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 Oakes?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KABR (Aberdeen, SD), about 50 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 Oakes | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KABR Aberdeen, SD | 50 mi south-southwest | 3,500 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KMVX Grand Forks, ND | 102 mi north-northeast | 10,000 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KBIS Bismarck, ND | 135 mi west-northwest | 15,200 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 Oakes
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 63 tornadoes within 25 miles of Oakes, 13 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in June and July. The strongest was an EF3 on July 17, 2011, which passed about 20 miles northwest of town. The most recent was a tornado of unknown strength on July 7, 2023, which touched down about 21 miles north of town.
Hail: 185 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 21 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.50-inch hail on July 12, 1988.
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 Oakes'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.
Oakes radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Oakes, ND?
KABR (Aberdeen, SD), about 50 miles south-southwest. KMVX (Grand Forks, ND) is 102 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Oakes?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Oakes the lowest scan from KABR is about 3,500 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Oakes 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 Oakes, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Ellendale, ND radar 23 mi
- Lisbon, ND radar 28 mi
- Valley City, ND radar 54 mi
- Jamestown, ND radar 60 mi
- Kindred, ND radar 62 mi