Turtle Lake, ND Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Turtle Lake, McLean County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Turtle Lake?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 89 days in the Eastern McLean forecast zone and McLean County — the most common reported hazard around Turtle Lake, mostly in July and June. Next come lightning casualties & damage (6 days) and flash flooding (6 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 89 | Jun 2026 | Jun 29, 2018 · 1 death · $250,000 damage |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 6 | Jul 2011 | Aug 3, 1996 · $70,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 6 | Jun 2018 | Jun 6, 1999 · $300,000 damage |
| Flooding | 5 | Aug 2011 | Jun 2, 2011 · $5.0 million damage |
| High winds | 2 | May 2026 | — |
| Dust storms | 1 | May 2026 | — |
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 Eastern McLean forecast zone and McLean County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Turtle Lake get?
A normal year brings about 44 inches of snow to Turtle Lake, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Turtle Lake weather station in town. The snowiest month is usually January (10.5 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.7 | 8.9 | 7.9 | 10.5 | 6.5 | 5.7 | 2.3 | 0.6 |
Normal snowfall in inches. TALON Pro compares this season's snow at your location with these normals as winter goes on.
Which radars cover Turtle Lake?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KBIS (Bismarck, ND), about 52 miles south. 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 Turtle Lake | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KBIS Bismarck, ND | 52 mi south | 3,800 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KMBX Minot AFB, ND | 60 mi north | 4,600 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KMVX Grand Forks, ND | 166 mi east | 21,500 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 Turtle Lake
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 44 tornadoes within 25 miles of Turtle Lake, 4 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in June and August. The strongest was an F3 on June 5, 1956, which touched down about 15 miles west-northwest of town. The most recent was a tornado of unknown strength on September 14, 2025, which passed about 10 miles east-southeast of town.
Hail: 154 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 17 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.00-inch hail on August 24, 1983.
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 Turtle Lake'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.
Turtle Lake radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Turtle Lake, ND?
KBIS (Bismarck, ND), about 52 miles south. KMBX (Minot AFB, ND) is 60 miles away and also covers the area.
Can radar see a tornado near Turtle Lake?
Radar can't see the tornado itself, but it shows the rotating storm and, once debris is lofted, a debris signature. Over Turtle Lake the lowest scan from KBIS is about 3,800 ft up — good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly.
Is TALON's radar for Turtle Lake 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 Turtle Lake, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Washburn, ND radar 17 mi
- Garrison, ND radar 26 mi
- Velva, ND radar 37 mi
- Hazen, ND radar 38 mi
- Beulah, ND radar 45 mi
- Mandan, ND radar 48 mi
- Harvey, ND radar 48 mi
- Bismarck, ND radar 49 mi
- Surrey, ND radar 51 mi
- Minot, ND radar 53 mi