Canton, SD Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Canton, Lincoln County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Canton?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged heavy snow or a winter storm on 59 days in the Lincoln forecast zone and Lincoln County — the most common reported hazard around Canton, mostly in January and November. Next come damaging thunderstorm winds (59 days) and flooding (58 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 59 | Dec 2025 | Apr 9, 2013 · $15 million damage |
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 59 | Jun 2026 | Aug 28, 2021 · $3.0 million damage |
| Flooding | 58 | Jul 2024 | Jun 20, 2024 · 1 death · $12 million damage |
| High winds | 33 | Mar 2026 | Feb 10, 1996 · $30,000 damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 29 | Dec 2025 | — |
| Flash flooding | 29 | Jun 2024 | Jun 16, 2014 · $1.0 million damage |
| Blizzards | 27 | Mar 2026 | Nov 28, 2005 · $50,000 damage |
| Excessive heat | 27 | Jun 2026 | — |
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 Lincoln forecast zone and Lincoln County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Canton get?
A normal year brings about 36 inches of snow to Canton, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Canton weather station in town. The snowiest month is usually February (8.5 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.8 | 4.8 | 7.4 | 7.0 | 8.5 | 4.7 | 2.8 | 0.1 |
Normal snowfall in inches. TALON Pro compares this season's snow at your location with these normals as winter goes on.
Which radars cover Canton?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KFSD (Sioux Falls, SD), about 21 miles north-northwest. 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 Canton | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KFSD Sioux Falls, SD | 21 mi north-northwest | 1,200 ft | Excellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground |
| KOAX Omaha, NE | 138 mi south | 15,800 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KABR Aberdeen, SD | 174 mi north-northwest | 23,200 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 Canton
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 146 tornadoes within 25 miles of Canton, 27 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in June and May. The strongest was an F4 on June 7, 1965, which passed about 25 miles west-southwest of town and caused 1 death. The most recent was an EF0 on July 28, 2025, which passed about 14 miles southwest of town.
Hail: 511 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 49 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.50-inch hail on August 3, 1981.
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 Canton'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.
Canton radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Canton, SD?
KFSD (Sioux Falls, SD), about 21 miles north-northwest. KOAX (Omaha, NE) is 138 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Canton?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Canton the lowest scan from KFSD is about 1,200 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Canton 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 Canton, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Harrisburg, SD radar 11 mi
- Lennox, SD radar 16 mi
- Tea, SD radar 16 mi
- Sioux Falls, SD radar 18 mi
- Beresford, SD radar 18 mi
- Brandon, SD radar 20 mi
- Crooks, SD radar 27 mi
- Hartford, SD radar 28 mi
- Parker, SD radar 28 mi
- Garretson, SD radar 29 mi