Bison, SD Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Bison, Perkins County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Bison?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 151 days in the Southern Perkins forecast zone and Perkins County — the most common reported hazard around Bison, mostly in July and June. Next come flooding (13 days) and flash flooding (12 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 151 | Jun 2026 | Aug 11, 1999 · $1.5 million damage |
| Flooding | 13 | May 2019 | Jun 5, 2008 · $1.0 million damage |
| Flash flooding | 12 | Aug 2023 | Jul 15, 2001 · $200,000 damage |
| High winds | 7 | Feb 2025 | — |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 3 | Feb 2025 | — |
| Wildfires | 2 | Sep 2000 | — |
| Blizzards | 1 | Dec 2023 | — |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 1 | Mar 2024 | — |
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 Southern Perkins forecast zone and Perkins County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Bison get?
A normal year brings about 40 inches of snow to Bison, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Bison weather station in town. The snowiest month is usually February (8.0 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.0 | 4.1 | 5.9 | 5.6 | 8.0 | 7.0 | 5.4 | 0.7 |
Normal snowfall in inches. TALON Pro compares this season's snow at your location with these normals as winter goes on.
Which radars cover Bison?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KUDX (Rapid City, SD), about 98 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 Bison | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KUDX Rapid City, SD | 98 mi south | 9,400 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KBIS Bismarck, ND | 119 mi northeast | 12,500 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KABR Aberdeen, SD | 196 mi east | 28,400 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 Bison
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 23 tornadoes within 25 miles of Bison, 7 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in May and June. The strongest was an F2 on August 12, 1969, which passed about 13 miles east of town. The most recent was a tornado of unknown strength on May 23, 2021, which touched down about 19 miles southeast of town.
Hail: 168 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 26 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.00-inch hail on September 1, 1990.
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 Bison'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.
Bison radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Bison, SD?
KUDX (Rapid City, SD), about 98 miles south. KBIS (Bismarck, ND) is 119 miles away and also covers the area.
Can radar see a tornado near Bison?
Radar can't see the tornado itself, but it shows the rotating storm and, once debris is lofted, a debris signature. Over Bison the lowest scan from KUDX is about 9,400 ft up — fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation.
Is TALON's radar for Bison 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 Bison, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
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