Riverdale, ND Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Riverdale, McLean County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Riverdale?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 89 days in the Eastern McLean forecast zone and McLean County — the most common reported hazard around Riverdale, mostly in July and June. Next come lightning casualties & damage (6 days) and flash flooding (6 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 89 | Jun 2026 | Jun 29, 2018 · 1 death · $250,000 damage |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 6 | Jul 2011 | Aug 3, 1996 · $70,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 6 | Jun 2018 | Jun 6, 1999 · $300,000 damage |
| Flooding | 5 | Aug 2011 | Jun 2, 2011 · $5.0 million damage |
| High winds | 2 | May 2026 | — |
| Dust storms | 1 | May 2026 | — |
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 Eastern McLean forecast zone and McLean County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Riverdale get?
A normal year brings about 39 inches of snow to Riverdale, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Underwood weather station 10.7 miles away. The snowiest month is usually December (10.9 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.6 | 4.2 | 10.9 | 6.7 | 5.0 | 6.8 | 2.7 | 0.7 |
Normal snowfall in inches. TALON Pro compares this season's snow at your location with these normals as winter goes on.
Which radars cover Riverdale?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KBIS (Bismarck, ND), about 58 miles south-southeast. 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 Riverdale | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KBIS Bismarck, ND | 58 mi south-southeast | 4,300 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KMBX Minot AFB, ND | 66 mi north-northeast | 5,200 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KMVX Grand Forks, ND | 189 mi east | 26,500 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 Riverdale
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 40 tornadoes within 25 miles of Riverdale, 5 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in July and June. The strongest was an F3 on June 18, 1956, which passed about 15 miles southwest of town. The most recent was an EF0 on August 12, 2019, which touched down about 23 miles north-northwest of town.
Hail: 198 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 30 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.25-inch hail on June 18, 2008.
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 Riverdale'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.
Riverdale radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Riverdale, ND?
KBIS (Bismarck, ND), about 58 miles south-southeast. KMBX (Minot AFB, ND) is 66 miles away and also covers the area.
Can radar see a tornado near Riverdale?
Radar can't see the tornado itself, but it shows the rotating storm and, once debris is lofted, a debris signature. Over Riverdale the lowest scan from KBIS is about 4,300 ft up — good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly.
Is TALON's radar for Riverdale 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 Riverdale, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Garrison, ND radar 11 mi
- Hazen, ND radar 18 mi
- Washburn, ND radar 21 mi
- Beulah, ND radar 25 mi
- Velva, ND radar 44 mi
- New Salem, ND radar 45 mi
- Minot, ND radar 51 mi
- Mandan, ND radar 51 mi
- Burlington, ND radar 53 mi
- Surrey, ND radar 53 mi