Estelline, SD Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Estelline, Hamlin County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Estelline?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged blizzard conditions on 57 days in the Hamlin forecast zone and Hamlin County — the most common reported hazard around Estelline, mostly in December and January. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (55 days) and flooding (50 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Blizzards | 57 | Feb 2023 | Mar 24, 1996 · $5,000 damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 55 | Feb 2026 | Mar 10, 2021 · 1 death |
| Flooding | 50 | Aug 2025 | Jun 1, 2019 · $11 million damage |
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 43 | Jun 2026 | Jun 21, 2013 · 1 death · $215,000 damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 40 | Jan 2026 | — |
| High winds | 30 | Mar 2026 | Feb 10, 1996 · $5,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 15 | Jun 2025 | Jun 26, 2010 · $50,000 damage |
| Excessive heat | 10 | 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 Hamlin forecast zone and Hamlin County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
Which radars cover Estelline?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KFSD (Sioux Falls, SD), about 69 miles south. 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 Estelline | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KFSD Sioux Falls, SD | 69 mi south | 5,500 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KABR Aberdeen, SD | 96 mi northwest | 9,000 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KMPX Minneapolis, MN | 165 mi east | 21,200 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 Estelline
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 101 tornadoes within 25 miles of Estelline, 18 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in June and May. The strongest was an F4 on June 7, 1993, which passed about 17 miles east-southeast of town. The most recent was an EF2 on June 28, 2025, which passed about 16 miles north-northeast of town.
Hail: 273 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 May 28, 1991.
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 Estelline'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.
Estelline radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Estelline, SD?
KFSD (Sioux Falls, SD), about 69 miles south. KABR (Aberdeen, SD) is 96 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Estelline?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Estelline the lowest scan from KFSD is about 5,500 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Estelline 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 Estelline, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
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