Cottonwood, SD Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Cottonwood, Jackson County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Cottonwood?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 173 days in the Northern Jackson forecast zone and Jackson County — the most common reported hazard around Cottonwood, mostly in July and June. Next come high winds (95 days) and heavy snow & winter storms (63 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 173 | Jun 2026 | May 18, 2012 · $400,000 damage |
| High winds | 95 | Jan 2026 | Apr 24, 1996 · $50,000 damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 63 | Mar 2023 | Oct 26, 1996 · $5,000 damage |
| Blizzards | 26 | Dec 2023 | Mar 23, 2009 · $3.0 million damage |
| Flooding | 20 | Oct 2023 | Jun 5, 2008 · $500,000 damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 10 | Feb 2025 | — |
| Flash flooding | 9 | Jun 2026 | Jun 24, 2011 · $20,000 damage |
| Ice storms & sleet | 2 | Mar 2002 | Mar 6, 2002 · 2 deaths · $250,000 damage |
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 Northern Jackson forecast zone and Jackson County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Cottonwood get?
A normal year brings about 38 inches of snow to Cottonwood, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Cottonwood 2 E weather station 2.3 miles away. The snowiest month is usually April (6.8 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.2 | 4.8 | 6.0 | 5.4 | 6.3 | 6.3 | 6.8 | 0.4 |
Normal snowfall in inches. TALON Pro compares this season's snow at your location with these normals as winter goes on.
Which radars cover Cottonwood?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KUDX (Rapid City, SD), about 47 miles west-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 Cottonwood | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KUDX Rapid City, SD | 47 mi west-northwest | 3,300 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KLNX North Platte, NE | 154 mi south-southeast | 19,000 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KABR Aberdeen, SD | 200 mi east-northeast | 29,200 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 Cottonwood
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 33 tornadoes within 25 miles of Cottonwood, 5 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in July and June. The strongest was an EF2 on June 28, 2025, which touched down about 22 miles southeast of town.
Hail: 252 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 31 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.50-inch hail on June 28, 2025.
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 Cottonwood'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.
Cottonwood radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Cottonwood, SD?
KUDX (Rapid City, SD), about 47 miles west-northwest. KLNX (North Platte, NE) is 154 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Cottonwood?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Cottonwood the lowest scan from KUDX is about 3,300 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Cottonwood 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 Cottonwood, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Box Elder, SD radar 59 mi