Steele, ND Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Steele, Kidder County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Steele?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged heavy snow or a winter storm on 57 days in the Kidder forecast zone and Kidder County — the most common reported hazard around Steele, mostly in December and March. Next come high winds (53 days) and damaging thunderstorm winds (48 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 57 | Apr 2026 | — |
| High winds | 53 | May 2026 | Feb 13, 2011 · $20,000 damage |
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 48 | Jun 2026 | Jun 25, 1999 · $5.0 million damage |
| Blizzards | 38 | Apr 2023 | Jan 9, 1997 · $1.5 million damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 31 | Feb 2025 | — |
| Flash flooding | 5 | Jun 2021 | Jun 8, 2021 · $350,000 damage |
| Flooding | 3 | Apr 2009 | Apr 1, 2009 · $1.3 million 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 Kidder forecast zone and Kidder County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
Which radars cover Steele?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KBIS (Bismarck, 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.
| Radar | Distance | Lowest beam over Steele | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KBIS Bismarck, ND | 40 mi west | 2,700 ft | Excellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground |
| KMBX Minot AFB, ND | 115 mi north-northwest | 11,900 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KABR Aberdeen, SD | 121 mi southeast | 12,800 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 Steele
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 41 tornadoes within 25 miles of Steele, 7 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in June and July. The strongest was an F4 on July 1, 1952, which passed about 19 miles north-northwest of town and caused 1 death. The most recent was a tornado of unknown strength on September 14, 2025, which touched down about 11 miles west-northwest of town.
Hail: 116 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 12 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.50-inch hail on August 31, 1997.
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 Steele'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.
Steele radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Steele, ND?
KBIS (Bismarck, ND), about 40 miles west. KMBX (Minot AFB, ND) is 115 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Steele?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Steele the lowest scan from KBIS is about 2,700 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Steele 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 Steele, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Lincoln, ND radar 37 mi
- Bismarck, ND radar 40 mi
- Linton, ND radar 43 mi
- Mandan, ND radar 46 mi
- Carrington, ND radar 55 mi
- Jamestown, ND radar 58 mi
- Washburn, ND radar 60 mi