Shell Valley, ND Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Shell Valley, Rolette County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Shell Valley?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged heavy snow or a winter storm on 57 days in the Rolette forecast zone and Rolette County — the most common reported hazard around Shell Valley, mostly in December and February. Next come blizzards (44 days) and extreme cold & wind chill (40 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 57 | Feb 2026 | Nov 6, 2008 · $20,000 damage |
| Blizzards | 44 | Dec 2025 | Jan 9, 1997 · 1 death · $1.5 million damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 40 | Feb 2025 | — |
| High winds | 37 | May 2026 | May 25, 2010 · $30,000 damage |
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 30 | Jun 2026 | Jul 7, 2005 · 1 death |
| Flash flooding | 8 | Jun 2009 | Jun 24, 2007 · $150,000 damage |
| Flooding | 4 | Apr 2023 | Apr 16, 2023 · 1 death · $20,000 damage |
| Excessive heat | 1 | Jul 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 Rolette forecast zone and Rolette County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
Which radars cover Shell Valley?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KMBX (Minot AFB, ND), about 55 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 Shell Valley | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KMBX Minot AFB, ND | 55 mi west-southwest | 4,100 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KMVX Grand Forks, ND | 145 mi southeast | 17,300 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KBIS Bismarck, ND | 147 mi south-southwest | 17,600 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 Shell Valley
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 26 tornadoes within 25 miles of Shell Valley, 3 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in June and July. The strongest was an EF3 on July 7, 2008, which passed about 3 miles north of town. The most recent was an EF0 on September 20, 2019, which touched down about 25 miles east-southeast of town.
Hail: 90 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 August 3, 2016.
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 Shell Valley'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.
Shell Valley radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Shell Valley, ND?
KMBX (Minot AFB, ND), about 55 miles west-southwest. KMVX (Grand Forks, ND) is 145 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Shell Valley?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Shell Valley the lowest scan from KMBX is about 4,100 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Shell Valley 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 Shell Valley, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Rolla, ND radar 10 mi
- Bottineau, ND radar 28 mi
- Rugby, ND radar 32 mi
- Cando, ND radar 36 mi