Tappen, ND Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Tappen, Kidder County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Tappen?
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 Tappen, 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.
How much snow does Tappen get?
A normal year brings about 49 inches of snow to Tappen, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Streeter 5 Nw weather station 13.7 miles away. The snowiest month is usually December (10.8 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.9 | 5.9 | 10.8 | 9.9 | 8.1 | 8.0 | 3.5 | 0.8 |
Normal snowfall in inches. TALON Pro compares this season's snow at your location with these normals as winter goes on.
Which radars cover Tappen?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KBIS (Bismarck, ND), about 54 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 Tappen | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KBIS Bismarck, ND | 54 mi west | 3,900 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KABR Aberdeen, SD | 114 mi south-southeast | 11,700 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KMVX Grand Forks, ND | 117 mi east-northeast | 12,300 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 Tappen
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 43 tornadoes within 25 miles of Tappen, 11 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in June and August. The strongest was an F4 on July 1, 1952, which passed about 21 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 24 miles west of town.
Hail: 133 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 16 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 Tappen'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.
Tappen radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Tappen, ND?
KBIS (Bismarck, ND), about 54 miles west. KABR (Aberdeen, SD) is 114 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Tappen?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Tappen the lowest scan from KBIS is about 3,900 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Tappen 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 Tappen, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Jamestown, ND radar 44 mi
- Carrington, ND radar 46 mi
- Linton, ND radar 51 mi
- Lincoln, ND radar 51 mi
- Bismarck, ND radar 54 mi
- Mandan, ND radar 60 mi
- New Rockford, ND radar 60 mi