Bowdle, SD Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Bowdle, Edmunds County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Bowdle?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 85 days in the Edmunds forecast zone and Edmunds County — the most common reported hazard around Bowdle, mostly in July and June. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (60 days) and high winds (54 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 85 | Jun 2026 | — |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 60 | Apr 2026 | — |
| High winds | 54 | Apr 2026 | — |
| Blizzards | 46 | Feb 2026 | — |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 42 | Jan 2026 | — |
| Flooding | 14 | Apr 2023 | Jun 1, 2019 · $15 million damage |
| Flash flooding | 14 | Jul 2022 | Sep 8, 2009 · $5,000 damage |
| Excessive heat | 10 | Aug 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 Edmunds forecast zone and Edmunds County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
Which radars cover Bowdle?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KABR (Aberdeen, SD), about 60 miles east. 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 Bowdle | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KABR Aberdeen, SD | 60 mi east | 4,600 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KBIS Bismarck, ND | 105 mi north-northwest | 10,400 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KUDX Rapid City, SD | 181 mi west-southwest | 24,600 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 Bowdle
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 65 tornadoes within 25 miles of Bowdle, 14 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in June and May. The strongest was an EF4 on May 22, 2010, which passed about 2 miles north-northwest of town. The most recent was a tornado of unknown strength on August 28, 2024, which touched down about 23 miles northwest of town.
Hail: 291 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 32 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.50-inch hail on August 5, 1987.
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 Bowdle'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.
Bowdle radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Bowdle, SD?
KABR (Aberdeen, SD), about 60 miles east. KBIS (Bismarck, ND) is 105 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Bowdle?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Bowdle the lowest scan from KABR is about 4,600 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Bowdle 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 Bowdle, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Gettysburg, SD radar 34 mi
- Mobridge, SD radar 38 mi
- Aberdeen, SD radar 58 mi