Thompson, ND Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Thompson, Grand Forks County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Thompson?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 136 days in the Grand Forks forecast zone and Grand Forks County — the most common reported hazard around Thompson, mostly in July and June. Next come blizzards (86 days) and heavy snow & winter storms (81 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 136 | Oct 2025 | Aug 8, 2001 · $18 million damage |
| Blizzards | 86 | Jan 2026 | Apr 5, 1997 · $6.0 million damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 81 | Mar 2026 | Nov 6, 2000 · $2,000 damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 72 | Jan 2026 | Mar 8, 2003 · $50,000 damage |
| High winds | 40 | Feb 2026 | Jun 13, 2017 · $800,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 35 | Jul 2025 | Jun 12, 2000 · 2 deaths · $4.0 million damage |
| Flooding | 24 | Jul 2024 | Apr 1, 2006 · 1 death · $887,000 damage |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 7 | Jul 2012 | Jul 4, 2012 · $80,000 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 Grand Forks forecast zone and Grand Forks County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Thompson get?
A normal year brings about 49 inches of snow to Thompson, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Grand Forks Univ (Nws) weather station 10.2 miles away. The snowiest month is usually December (13.5 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.5 | 5.1 | 13.5 | 9.5 | 8.2 | 7.8 | 3.0 | 0.1 |
Normal snowfall in inches. TALON Pro compares this season's snow at your location with these normals as winter goes on.
Which radars cover Thompson?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KMVX (Grand Forks, ND), about 20 miles south-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 Thompson | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KMVX Grand Forks, ND | 20 mi south-southwest | 1,100 ft | Excellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground |
| KABR Aberdeen, SD | 172 mi south-southwest | 22,700 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KMBX Minot AFB, ND | 179 mi west-northwest | 24,200 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 Thompson
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 128 tornadoes within 25 miles of Thompson, 22 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in June and July. The strongest was an EF4 on August 26, 2007, which passed about 20 miles west of town and caused 1 death. The most recent was an EF0 on August 8, 2025, which touched down about 17 miles west-southwest of town.
Hail: 315 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 21 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 3.50-inch hail on July 6, 1957.
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 Thompson'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.
Thompson radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Thompson, ND?
KMVX (Grand Forks, ND), about 20 miles south-southwest. KABR (Aberdeen, SD) is 172 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Thompson?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Thompson the lowest scan from KMVX is about 1,100 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Thompson 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 Thompson, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Grand Forks, ND radar 10 mi
- Mayville, ND radar 22 mi
- Hillsboro, ND radar 26 mi
- Larimore, ND radar 26 mi
- Grafton, ND radar 46 mi
- Park River, ND radar 52 mi
- Casselton, ND radar 61 mi
- Mapleton, ND radar 61 mi