Richardton, ND Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Richardton, Stark County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Richardton?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged high winds on 85 days in the Stark forecast zone and Stark County — the most common reported hazard around Richardton, mostly in March and October. Next come damaging thunderstorm winds (70 days) and heavy snow & winter storms (49 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| High winds | 85 | May 2026 | Jul 28, 2015 · $55,000 damage |
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 70 | Jun 2026 | Jun 19, 2005 · $3.0 million damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 49 | Apr 2026 | — |
| Blizzards | 33 | Dec 2025 | Apr 4, 1997 · $2.0 million damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 23 | Feb 2025 | — |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 8 | Aug 2019 | Aug 4, 2019 · 1 death |
| Flash flooding | 4 | Jul 2022 | Jul 3, 2022 · $500,000 damage |
| Flooding | 3 | Aug 2014 | Aug 15, 2014 · $725,000 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 Stark forecast zone and Stark County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Richardton get?
A normal year brings about 33 inches of snow to Richardton, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Richardton Abbey weather station in town. The snowiest month is usually March (7.3 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.6 | 4.9 | 5.4 | 4.5 | 4.3 | 7.3 | 3.2 | 0.8 |
Normal snowfall in inches. TALON Pro compares this season's snow at your location with these normals as winter goes on.
Which radars cover Richardton?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KBIS (Bismarck, ND), about 75 miles east. 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 Richardton | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KBIS Bismarck, ND | 75 mi east | 6,200 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KMBX Minot AFB, ND | 125 mi north-northeast | 13,500 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KUDX Rapid City, SD | 192 mi south | 27,300 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 Richardton
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 36 tornadoes within 25 miles of Richardton, 3 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in June and July. The strongest was an EF3 on July 8, 2009, which touched down about 21 miles west of town. The most recent was a tornado of unknown strength on August 30, 2025, which touched down about 25 miles northeast of town.
Hail: 213 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 35 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.00-inch hail on July 17, 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 Richardton'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.
Richardton radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Richardton, ND?
KBIS (Bismarck, ND), about 75 miles east. KMBX (Minot AFB, ND) is 125 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Richardton?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Richardton the lowest scan from KBIS is about 6,200 ft up, so light snow from shallow clouds can be under-shown — check NWS winter alerts too.
Is TALON's radar for Richardton 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 Richardton, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Dickinson, ND radar 22 mi
- Beulah, ND radar 38 mi
- New Salem, ND radar 43 mi
- Hazen, ND radar 44 mi