Porcupine, ND Live Doppler Radar

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

Open live radar for Porcupine What TALON shows

What weather hits Porcupine?

Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 38 days in the Western Sioux forecast zone and Sioux County — the most common reported hazard around Porcupine, mostly in June and July. Next come flash flooding (6 days) and flooding (5 days).

Hazard	Days reported	Most recent	Worst on record
Damaging thunderstorm winds	38	Aug 2025	May 16, 1996 · $850,000 damage
Flash flooding	6	Jul 2019	Jul 8, 2019 · 2 deaths · $750,000 damage
Flooding	5	Aug 2011	Mar 6, 2009 · $264,000 damage
Wildfires	1	Jul 2002	—

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 Western Sioux forecast zone and Sioux County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.

How much snow does Porcupine get?

A normal year brings about 47 inches of snow to Porcupine, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Shields weather station 1.6 miles away. The snowiest month is usually December (9.8 in).

Oct	Nov	Dec	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May
2.5	7.8	9.8	8.2	6.9	8.4	2.7	0.6

Normal snowfall in inches. TALON Pro compares this season's snow at your location with these normals as winter goes on.

Which radars cover Porcupine?

The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KBIS (Bismarck, ND), about 41 miles north-northeast. 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 Porcupine	View
KBIS Bismarck, ND	41 mi north-northeast	2,800 ft	Excellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground
KABR Aberdeen, SD	140 mi east-southeast	16,200 ft	Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms
KMBX Minot AFB, ND	150 mi north	18,200 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 Porcupine

Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 29 tornadoes within 25 miles of Porcupine, 2 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in July and June. The strongest was an F4 on July 4, 1978, which passed about 17 miles northwest of town and caused 5 deaths. The most recent was an EF1 on August 28, 2024, which touched down about 17 miles south-southeast of town.

Hail: 152 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 18 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 5.00-inch hail on July 13, 2010.

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 Porcupine'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.

Porcupine radar FAQ

Where is the nearest weather radar to Porcupine, ND?

KBIS (Bismarck, ND), about 41 miles north-northeast. KABR (Aberdeen, SD) is 140 miles away and also covers the area.

Can radar see a tornado near Porcupine?

Radar can't see the tornado itself, but it shows the rotating storm and, once debris is lofted, a debris signature. Over Porcupine the lowest scan from KBIS is about 2,800 ft up — excellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground.

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

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