Pettibone, ND Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Pettibone, Kidder County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Pettibone?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged heavy snow or a winter storm on 57 days in the Kidder forecast zone and Kidder County — the most common reported hazard around Pettibone, mostly in December and March. Next come high winds (53 days) and damaging thunderstorm winds (48 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 57 | Apr 2026 | — |
| High winds | 53 | May 2026 | Feb 13, 2011 · $20,000 damage |
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 48 | Jun 2026 | Jun 25, 1999 · $5.0 million damage |
| Blizzards | 38 | Apr 2023 | Jan 9, 1997 · $1.5 million damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 31 | Feb 2025 | — |
| Flash flooding | 5 | Jun 2021 | Jun 8, 2021 · $350,000 damage |
| Flooding | 3 | Apr 2009 | Apr 1, 2009 · $1.3 million damage |
| Excessive heat | 1 | Jul 2011 | — |
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 Kidder forecast zone and Kidder County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
Which radars cover Pettibone?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KBIS (Bismarck, ND), about 63 miles west-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 Pettibone | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KBIS Bismarck, ND | 63 mi west-southwest | 4,900 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KMVX Grand Forks, ND | 107 mi east-northeast | 10,600 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KMBX Minot AFB, ND | 108 mi northwest | 10,800 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 Pettibone
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 38 tornadoes within 25 miles of Pettibone, 7 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in July and June. The strongest was an F4 on July 1, 1952, which passed about 5 miles north-northwest of town and caused 1 death. The most recent was an EF1 on June 20, 2025, which passed about 12 miles south of town.
Hail: 96 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 12 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.50-inch hail on August 24, 1983.
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 Pettibone'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.
Pettibone radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Pettibone, ND?
KBIS (Bismarck, ND), about 63 miles west-southwest. KMVX (Grand Forks, ND) is 107 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Pettibone?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Pettibone the lowest scan from KBIS is about 4,900 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Pettibone 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 Pettibone, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Carrington, ND radar 30 mi
- Jamestown, ND radar 42 mi
- New Rockford, ND radar 43 mi
- Harvey, ND radar 50 mi
- Lincoln, ND radar 61 mi