Bridger, SD Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Bridger, Ziebach County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Bridger?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 129 days in the Ziebach forecast zone and Ziebach County — the most common reported hazard around Bridger, mostly in July and June. Next come high winds (126 days) and heavy snow & winter storms (51 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 129 | Jun 2026 | Aug 1, 2011 · $50,000 damage |
| High winds | 126 | Jan 2026 | Apr 23, 2002 · $100 damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 51 | Mar 2024 | Oct 26, 1996 · $50,000 damage |
| Blizzards | 28 | Dec 2023 | Mar 23, 2009 · $7.0 million damage |
| Flooding | 24 | Jun 2023 | Jun 5, 2008 · $700,000 damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 11 | Feb 2025 | — |
| Flash flooding | 9 | Jun 2023 | May 26, 2019 · $750,000 damage |
| Ice storms & sleet | 1 | Jan 2006 | — |
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 Ziebach forecast zone and Ziebach County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Bridger get?
A normal year brings about 45 inches of snow to Bridger, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Milesville 5 Ne weather station 14.6 miles away. The snowiest month is usually February (9.5 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.4 | 5.2 | 6.5 | 6.7 | 9.5 | 6.9 | 6.9 | 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 Bridger?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KUDX (Rapid City, SD), about 54 miles west-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 Bridger | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KUDX Rapid City, SD | 54 mi west-southwest | 3,900 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KBIS Bismarck, ND | 164 mi north-northeast | 21,000 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KABR Aberdeen, SD | 182 mi east-northeast | 25,000 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 Bridger
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 20 tornadoes within 25 miles of Bridger, 2 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in July and May. The strongest was an EF2 on May 24, 2010, which passed about 10 miles west of town. The most recent was an EF1 on July 6, 2016, which touched down about 23 miles west of town.
Hail: 146 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 29 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.50-inch hail on June 12, 2022.
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 Bridger'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.
Bridger radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Bridger, SD?
KUDX (Rapid City, SD), about 54 miles west-southwest. KBIS (Bismarck, ND) is 164 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Bridger?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Bridger the lowest scan from KUDX is about 3,900 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Bridger 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 Bridger, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Eagle Butte, SD radar 46 mi