Sarles, ND Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Sarles, Cavalier County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Sarles?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged dangerous cold on 84 days in the Cavalier forecast zone and Cavalier County — the most common reported hazard around Sarles, mostly in January and February. Next come blizzards (75 days) and heavy snow & winter storms (67 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 84 | Jan 2026 | Mar 8, 2003 · $5,000 damage |
| Blizzards | 75 | Jan 2026 | Apr 5, 1997 · $6.0 million damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 67 | Mar 2026 | Nov 6, 2000 · $14,000 damage |
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 51 | Jun 2026 | Jun 9, 2017 · $3.5 million damage |
| High winds | 31 | May 2026 | Oct 31, 1999 · $4,000 damage |
| Flooding | 15 | Apr 2017 | Apr 28, 2013 · 1 death · $5,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 6 | Sep 2024 | Jul 12, 1997 · $260,000 damage |
| Ice storms & sleet | 5 | Feb 2009 | Apr 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 Cavalier forecast zone and Cavalier County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
Which radars cover Sarles?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KMBX (Minot AFB, ND), about 93 miles west-southwest. 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 Sarles | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KMBX Minot AFB, ND | 93 mi west-southwest | 8,700 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KMVX Grand Forks, ND | 125 mi southeast | 13,500 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KBIS Bismarck, ND | 171 mi south-southwest | 22,500 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 Sarles
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 28 tornadoes within 25 miles of Sarles, 4 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in June and July. The strongest was an EF3 on July 7, 2008, which passed about 22 miles west-southwest of town. The most recent was an EF0 on July 7, 2025, which touched down about 23 miles south of town.
Hail: 95 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 12 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 3.00-inch hail on August 31, 2002.
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 Sarles'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.
Sarles radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Sarles, ND?
KMBX (Minot AFB, ND), about 93 miles west-southwest. KMVX (Grand Forks, ND) is 125 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Sarles?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Sarles the lowest scan from KMBX is about 8,700 ft up, so light snow from shallow clouds can be under-shown — check NWS winter alerts too.
Is TALON's radar for Sarles 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 Sarles, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
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