Caputa, SD Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Caputa, Pennington County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Caputa?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 263 days in the Pennington Co Plains forecast zone and Pennington County — the most common reported hazard around Caputa, mostly in July and June. Next come high winds (216 days) and heavy snow & winter storms (62 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 263 | Jun 2026 | Jul 20, 2002 · $1.0 million damage |
| High winds | 216 | Jan 2026 | Apr 24, 1996 · $75,000 damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 62 | Apr 2024 | Oct 26, 1996 · $75,000 damage |
| Flooding | 40 | Jun 2023 | May 21, 2019 · $2.0 million damage |
| Blizzards | 32 | Dec 2023 | Mar 23, 2009 · $2.5 million damage |
| Flash flooding | 31 | Jul 2022 | Jun 5, 2008 · $1.5 million damage |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 12 | Aug 2016 | Aug 3, 2011 · 1 death |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 10 | Feb 2025 | — |
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 Pennington Co Plains forecast zone and Pennington County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Caputa get?
A normal year brings about 49 inches of snow to Caputa, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Rapid City Rgnl Ap weather station 4.7 miles away. The snowiest month is usually April (10.1 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.0 | 5.7 | 6.7 | 5.3 | 7.7 | 8.4 | 10.1 | 1.5 |
Normal snowfall in inches. TALON Pro compares this season's snow at your location with these normals as winter goes on.
Which radars cover Caputa?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KUDX (Rapid City, SD), about 12 miles northeast. 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 Caputa | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KUDX Rapid City, SD | 12 mi northeast | 600 ft | Excellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground |
| KLNX North Platte, NE | 186 mi southeast | 25,900 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KCYS Cheyenne, WY | 217 mi south-southwest | 33,600 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 Caputa
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 41 tornadoes within 25 miles of Caputa, 7 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in June and May. The strongest was an F3 on May 11, 1991, which touched down about 18 miles northwest of town. The most recent was an EF0 on May 6, 2023, which touched down about 14 miles north of town.
Hail: 1,203 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 194 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.50-inch hail on July 6, 1977.
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 Caputa'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.
Caputa radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Caputa, SD?
KUDX (Rapid City, SD), about 12 miles northeast. KLNX (North Platte, NE) is 186 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Caputa?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Caputa the lowest scan from KUDX is about 600 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Caputa 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 Caputa, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Box Elder, SD radar 9 mi
- Rapid City, SD radar 13 mi
- Summerset, SD radar 22 mi
- Piedmont, SD radar 25 mi
- Custer, SD radar 34 mi
- Sturgis, SD radar 38 mi
- Deadwood, SD radar 45 mi
- Lead, SD radar 46 mi
- Hot Springs, SD radar 47 mi
- Spearfish, SD radar 54 mi