Portland, ND Live Doppler Radar

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

What weather hits Portland?

Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged heavy snow or a winter storm on 79 days in the Traill forecast zone and Traill County — the most common reported hazard around Portland, mostly in December and March. Next come damaging thunderstorm winds (78 days) and blizzards (77 days).

HazardDays reportedMost recentWorst on record
Heavy snow & winter storms79Apr 2026Nov 6, 2000 · $2,000 damage
Damaging thunderstorm winds78Aug 2025Aug 8, 2001 · $1.0 million damage
Blizzards77Feb 2023Apr 5, 1997 · $6.0 million damage
Extreme cold & wind chill70Jan 2026Mar 8, 2003 · $5,000 damage
High winds22May 2022Apr 23, 2002 · $15,000 damage
Flooding20Apr 2023Apr 17, 1997 · $10 million damage
Flash flooding11Apr 2022Sep 21, 2019 · $10 million damage
Ice storms & sleet7Dec 2023Apr 4, 1997 · $6.0 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 Traill forecast zone and Traill County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.

Which radars cover Portland?

The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KMVX (Grand Forks, ND), about 3 miles 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.

RadarDistanceLowest beam over PortlandView
KMVX
Grand Forks, ND
3 mi northeast100 ftExcellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground
KABR
Aberdeen, SD
150 mi south-southwest18,100 ftLimited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms
KBIS
Bismarck, ND
167 mi west-southwest21,700 ftLimited — 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 Portland

Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 107 tornadoes within 25 miles of Portland, 20 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in June and July. The strongest was an EF4 on August 26, 2007, which passed about 18 miles north-northwest of town and caused 1 death. The most recent was an EF0 on August 8, 2025, which touched down about 14 miles north-northwest of town.

Hail: 251 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 27 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.50-inch hail on July 17, 2001.

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 Portland'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.

Portland radar FAQ

Where is the nearest weather radar to Portland, ND?

KMVX (Grand Forks, ND), about 3 miles northeast. KABR (Aberdeen, SD) is 150 miles away and also covers the area.

Does radar show snow in Portland?

Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Portland the lowest scan from KMVX is about 100 ft up.

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

Radar for nearby towns

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