Dakota Dunes, SD Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Dakota Dunes, Union County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Dakota Dunes?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged river or areal flooding on 90 days in the Union forecast zone and Union County — the most common reported hazard around Dakota Dunes, mostly in May and June. Next come damaging thunderstorm winds (73 days) and heavy snow & winter storms (43 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flooding | 90 | Jul 2024 | Jun 21, 2024 · $55 million damage |
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 73 | Jul 2025 | Aug 2, 2001 · $200,000 damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 43 | Jan 2024 | Apr 6, 2003 · $10,000 damage |
| High winds | 42 | Mar 2026 | Apr 7, 2001 · $20,000 damage |
| Excessive heat | 28 | Jun 2026 | — |
| Blizzards | 26 | Mar 2026 | Jan 14, 2021 · 1 death |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 25 | Dec 2025 | — |
| Flash flooding | 18 | Jul 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 Union forecast zone and Union County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Dakota Dunes get?
A normal year brings about 36 inches of snow to Dakota Dunes, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Sioux City Gateway Ap weather station 8.7 miles away. The snowiest month is usually February (8.7 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.8 | 3.2 | 7.6 | 7.7 | 8.7 | 5.7 | 2.3 | 0.0 |
Normal snowfall in inches. TALON Pro compares this season's snow at your location with these normals as winter goes on.
Which radars cover Dakota Dunes?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KFSD (Sioux Falls, SD), about 77 miles north. 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 Dakota Dunes | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KFSD Sioux Falls, SD | 77 mi north | 6,500 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KOAX Omaha, NE | 81 mi south | 7,000 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KDMX Des Moines, IA | 151 mi east-southeast | 18,300 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 Dakota Dunes
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 113 tornadoes within 25 miles of Dakota Dunes, 29 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in June and May. The strongest was an EF4 on October 4, 2013, which passed about 23 miles west-southwest of town. The most recent was a tornado of unknown strength on April 16, 2024, which touched down about 14 miles northeast of town.
Hail: 442 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 48 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.25-inch hail on June 29, 2017.
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 Dakota Dunes'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.
Dakota Dunes radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Dakota Dunes, SD?
KFSD (Sioux Falls, SD), about 77 miles north. KOAX (Omaha, NE) is 81 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Dakota Dunes?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Dakota Dunes the lowest scan from KFSD is about 6,500 ft up, so light snow from shallow clouds can be under-shown — check NWS winter alerts too.
Is TALON's radar for Dakota Dunes 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 Dakota Dunes, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- North Sioux City, SD radar 3 mi
- Elk Point, SD radar 17 mi
- Vermillion, SD radar 30 mi
- Beresford, SD radar 43 mi
- Yankton, SD radar 54 mi
- Canton, SD radar 56 mi