Rugby, ND Live Doppler Radar

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

Open live radar for RugbyWhat TALON shows

What weather hits Rugby?

Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged heavy snow or a winter storm on 59 days in the Pierce forecast zone and Pierce County — the most common reported hazard around Rugby, mostly in December and January. Next come blizzards (44 days) and extreme cold & wind chill (39 days).

HazardDays reportedMost recentWorst on record
Heavy snow & winter storms59Feb 2026Nov 6, 2008 · $30,000 damage
Blizzards44Dec 2025Jan 9, 1997 · $1.5 million damage
Extreme cold & wind chill39Feb 2025—
High winds39May 2026Jul 28, 2015 · $45,000 damage
Damaging thunderstorm winds35Jun 2026Jun 19, 2005 · $1.8 million damage
Flooding3Apr 2009Apr 1, 2009 · $271,000 damage
Flash flooding2Sep 2024Sep 16, 2024 · $35,000 damage
Excessive heat1Jul 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 Pierce forecast zone and Pierce County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.

How much snow does Rugby get?

A normal year brings about 43 inches of snow to Rugby, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Rugby weather station in town. The snowiest month is usually January (8.0 in).

OctNovDecJanFebMarAprMay
3.37.48.08.06.46.52.90.9

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

Which radars cover Rugby?

The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KMBX (Minot AFB, ND), about 40 miles west. 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 RugbyView
KMBX
Minot AFB, ND		40 mi west2,700 ftExcellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground
KBIS
Bismarck, ND		116 mi south-southwest12,100 ftLimited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms
KMVX
Grand Forks, ND		136 mi east-southeast15,600 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 Rugby

Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 32 tornadoes within 25 miles of Rugby, 3 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in June and July. The strongest was an EF2 on August 3, 2016, which passed about 22 miles northeast of town. The most recent was an EF0 on May 23, 2020, which touched down about 19 miles east of town.

Hail: 139 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 14 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 3.00-inch hail on June 26, 1986.

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 Rugby'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.

Rugby radar FAQ

Where is the nearest weather radar to Rugby, ND?

KMBX (Minot AFB, ND), about 40 miles west. KBIS (Bismarck, ND) is 116 miles away and also covers the area.

Does radar show snow in Rugby?

Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Rugby the lowest scan from KMBX is about 2,700 ft up.

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

Radar for nearby towns

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