Buffalo, SD Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Buffalo, Harding County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Buffalo?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged high winds on 196 days in the Harding forecast zone and Harding County — the most common reported hazard around Buffalo, mostly in January and December. Next come damaging thunderstorm winds (171 days) and heavy snow & winter storms (64 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| High winds | 196 | Jan 2026 | Feb 10, 1996 · $75,000 damage |
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 171 | Jun 2026 | Jul 26, 2015 · $200,000 damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 64 | Mar 2024 | Apr 18, 2006 · $1.0 million damage |
| Blizzards | 26 | Dec 2022 | Mar 23, 2009 · $6.5 million damage |
| Flooding | 13 | May 2019 | May 20, 2011 · $300,000 damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 11 | Feb 2025 | — |
| Flash flooding | 5 | Jul 2016 | Sep 7, 2013 · $100,000 damage |
| Wildfires | 4 | Sep 2000 | — |
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 Harding forecast zone and Harding County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
Which radars cover Buffalo?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KUDX (Rapid City, SD), about 107 miles south-southeast. 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 Buffalo | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KUDX Rapid City, SD | 107 mi south-southeast | 10,600 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KBIS Bismarck, ND | 156 mi east-northeast | 19,400 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KMBX Minot AFB, ND | 231 mi north-northeast | 37,400 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 Buffalo
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 18 tornadoes within 25 miles of Buffalo, 4 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in June and July. The strongest was an F4 on July 7, 1969, which touched down about 23 miles south-southwest of town. The most recent was an EF3 on June 28, 2018, which passed about 24 miles west-southwest of town.
Hail: 204 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 32 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.25-inch hail on July 22, 2011.
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 Buffalo'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.
Buffalo radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Buffalo, SD?
KUDX (Rapid City, SD), about 107 miles south-southeast. KBIS (Bismarck, ND) is 156 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Buffalo?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Buffalo the lowest scan from KUDX is about 10,600 ft up, so light snow from shallow clouds can be under-shown — check NWS winter alerts too.
Is TALON's radar for Buffalo 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 Buffalo, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.