Fargo, OK Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Fargo, Ellis County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Fargo?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 92 days in the Ellis forecast zone and Ellis County — the most common reported hazard around Fargo, mostly in June and July. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (38 days) and high winds (34 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 92 | Jun 2026 | Jul 24, 1996 · $300,000 damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 38 | Jan 2026 | Dec 26, 2000 · $50,000 damage |
| High winds | 34 | Apr 2025 | May 12, 2018 · $20,000 damage |
| Excessive heat | 24 | Jun 2026 | — |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 9 | Feb 2025 | — |
| Ice storms & sleet | 7 | Oct 2020 | Jan 30, 2002 · $25 million damage |
| Flash flooding | 7 | Sep 2025 | — |
| Wildfires | 3 | Mar 2024 | Feb 27, 2024 · $1.3 million 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 Ellis forecast zone and Ellis County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Fargo get?
A normal year brings about 11 inches of snow to Fargo, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Fargo 3Ene weather station 3.4 miles away. The snowiest month is usually December (3.4 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.1 | 1.5 | 3.4 | 3.3 | 1.7 | 1.4 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
Normal snowfall in inches. TALON Pro compares this season's snow at your location with these normals as winter goes on.
Which radars cover Fargo?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KVNX (Vance AFB, OK), about 87 miles east-northeast. 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 Fargo | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KVNX Vance AFB, OK | 87 mi east-northeast | 7,800 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KDDC Dodge City, KS | 98 mi north | 9,300 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KAMA Amarillo, TX | 141 mi west-southwest | 16,400 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 Fargo
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 120 tornadoes within 25 miles of Fargo, 17 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in May and April. The strongest was an EF3 on April 14, 2012, which passed about 5 miles southeast of town and caused 6 deaths. The most recent was an EF3 on May 18, 2025, which passed about 19 miles south-southwest of town.
Hail: 531 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 114 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 5.00-inch hail on May 11, 1969.
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 Fargo'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.
Fargo radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Fargo, OK?
KVNX (Vance AFB, OK), about 87 miles east-northeast. KDDC (Dodge City, KS) is 98 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Fargo?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Fargo the lowest scan from KVNX is about 7,800 ft up, so light snow from shallow clouds can be under-shown — check NWS winter alerts too.
Is TALON's radar for Fargo 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 Fargo, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Woodward, OK radar 13 mi
- Shattuck, OK radar 16 mi
- Mooreland, OK radar 24 mi
- Laverne, OK radar 27 mi
- Buffalo, OK radar 31 mi
- Beaver, OK radar 59 mi
- Alva, OK radar 60 mi