Ethan, SD Live Doppler Radar

Live radar for Ethan, Davison County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.

Open live radar for EthanWhat TALON shows

What weather hits Ethan?

Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 80 days in the Davison forecast zone and Davison County — the most common reported hazard around Ethan, mostly in July and June. Next come flooding (76 days) and high winds (46 days).

HazardDays reportedMost recentWorst on record
Damaging thunderstorm winds80Jun 2026Aug 5, 2000 · $8.0 million damage
Flooding76Jul 2024Apr 1, 2019 · 1 death
High winds46Mar 2026Mar 10, 2005 · $100,000 damage
Heavy snow & winter storms41Feb 2025Dec 29, 2006 · $100,000 damage
Extreme cold & wind chill33Dec 2025—
Blizzards33Mar 2026Nov 28, 2005 · $100,000 damage
Excessive heat28Jun 2026—
Flash flooding19Jun 2024Sep 12, 2019 · $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 Davison forecast zone and Davison County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.

How much snow does Ethan get?

A normal year brings about 36 inches of snow to Ethan, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Alexandria weather station 11.8 miles away. The snowiest month is usually December (8.2 in).

OctNovDecJanFebMarAprMay
0.93.28.26.18.05.24.70.0

Normal snowfall in inches. TALON Pro compares this season's snow at your location with these normals as winter goes on.

Which radars cover Ethan?

The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KFSD (Sioux Falls, SD), about 63 miles east. 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.

RadarDistanceLowest beam over EthanView
KFSD
Sioux Falls, SD		63 mi east4,900 ftGood — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly
KABR
Aberdeen, SD		134 mi north15,100 ftLimited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms
KLNX
North Platte, NE		171 mi southwest22,600 ftLimited — 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 Ethan

Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 108 tornadoes within 25 miles of Ethan, 23 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in June and May. The strongest was an F4 on May 30, 1998, which passed about 21 miles northeast of town and caused 6 deaths. The most recent was a tornado of unknown strength on July 31, 2024, which touched down about 23 miles south-southeast of town.

Hail: 321 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 46 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 5.00-inch hail on June 16, 1992.

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 Ethan'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.

Ethan radar FAQ

Where is the nearest weather radar to Ethan, SD?

KFSD (Sioux Falls, SD), about 63 miles east. KABR (Aberdeen, SD) is 134 miles away and also covers the area.

Does radar show snow in Ethan?

Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Ethan the lowest scan from KFSD is about 4,900 ft up.

Is TALON's radar for Ethan 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 Ethan, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.

Radar for nearby towns

All South Dakota towns →