Sheldon, ND Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Sheldon, Ransom County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Sheldon?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged heavy snow or a winter storm on 85 days in the Ransom forecast zone and Ransom County — the most common reported hazard around Sheldon, mostly in December and March. Next come blizzards (68 days) and extreme cold & wind chill (63 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 85 | Apr 2026 | Nov 27, 2005 · $250,000 damage |
| Blizzards | 68 | Mar 2023 | Apr 5, 1997 · $6.0 million damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 63 | Jan 2026 | Mar 8, 2003 · $5,000 damage |
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 51 | Jun 2026 | Jul 15, 2007 · $5.2 million damage |
| High winds | 25 | Nov 2021 | Apr 5, 2000 · $100,000 damage |
| Flooding | 24 | Apr 2023 | Apr 3, 1997 · $500,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 17 | Jul 2022 | Jun 20, 2013 · 1 death · $55,000 damage |
| Ice storms & sleet | 7 | Dec 2023 | 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 Ransom forecast zone and Ransom County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Sheldon get?
A normal year brings about 47 inches of snow to Sheldon, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Lisbon weather station 13.7 miles away. The snowiest month is usually January (9.7 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.5 | 7.4 | 8.7 | 9.7 | 7.1 | 7.8 | 4.5 | 0.0 |
Normal snowfall in inches. TALON Pro compares this season's snow at your location with these normals as winter goes on.
Which radars cover Sheldon?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KMVX (Grand Forks, ND), about 65 miles north. 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 Sheldon | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KMVX Grand Forks, ND | 65 mi north | 5,200 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KABR Aberdeen, SD | 90 mi south-southwest | 8,200 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KBIS Bismarck, ND | 155 mi west | 19,200 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 Sheldon
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 89 tornadoes within 25 miles of Sheldon, 19 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in June and July. The strongest was an F5 on June 20, 1957, which passed about 23 miles north-northeast of town and caused 10 deaths. The most recent was a tornado of unknown strength on September 18, 2025, which touched down about 24 miles southeast of town.
Hail: 256 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 28 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 Sheldon'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.
Sheldon radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Sheldon, ND?
KMVX (Grand Forks, ND), about 65 miles north. KABR (Aberdeen, SD) is 90 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Sheldon?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Sheldon the lowest scan from KMVX is about 5,200 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Sheldon 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 Sheldon, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Lisbon, ND radar 14 mi
- Kindred, ND radar 23 mi
- Casselton, ND radar 25 mi
- Mapleton, ND radar 30 mi
- Horace, ND radar 30 mi
- Valley City, ND radar 33 mi
- West Fargo, ND radar 34 mi
- Fargo, ND radar 37 mi
- Oakes, ND radar 42 mi
- Wahpeton, ND radar 47 mi