Fairburn, SD Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Fairburn, Custer County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Fairburn?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 143 days in the Hermosa Foothills forecast zone and Custer County — the most common reported hazard around Fairburn, mostly in July and June. Next come high winds (39 days) and heavy snow & winter storms (37 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 143 | Jun 2026 | Jul 23, 2013 · $50,000 damage |
| High winds | 39 | May 2024 | — |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 37 | Mar 2025 | — |
| Flash flooding | 21 | Jun 2026 | Aug 17, 2007 · $3.0 million damage |
| Flooding | 15 | Sep 2023 | May 21, 2019 · $100,000 damage |
| Blizzards | 8 | Mar 2021 | Nov 5, 2008 · $100,000 damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 7 | Jan 2025 | — |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 4 | May 2014 | Aug 1, 2001 · $500,000 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 Hermosa Foothills forecast zone and Custer County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Fairburn get?
A normal year brings about 33 inches of snow to Fairburn, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Hermosa 3 Ssw weather station 8.3 miles away. The snowiest month is usually February (6.1 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.4 | 4.0 | 4.2 | 5.4 | 6.1 | 5.7 | 5.7 | 0.5 |
Normal snowfall in inches. TALON Pro compares this season's snow at your location with these normals as winter goes on.
Which radars cover Fairburn?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KUDX (Rapid City, SD), about 36 miles north-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 Fairburn | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KUDX Rapid City, SD | 36 mi north-northeast | 2,300 ft | Excellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground |
| KLNX North Platte, NE | 179 mi southeast | 24,300 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KCYS Cheyenne, WY | 193 mi south-southwest | 27,600 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 Fairburn
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 31 tornadoes within 25 miles of Fairburn, 6 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in June and May. The strongest was an F2 on July 23, 1966, which passed about 19 miles north-northwest of town. The most recent was an EF1 on May 23, 2021, which passed about 15 miles west-northwest of town.
Hail: 992 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 150 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 6.00-inch hail on June 22, 1968.
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 Fairburn'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.
Fairburn radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Fairburn, SD?
KUDX (Rapid City, SD), about 36 miles north-northeast. KLNX (North Platte, NE) is 179 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Fairburn?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Fairburn the lowest scan from KUDX is about 2,300 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Fairburn 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 Fairburn, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Custer, SD radar 20 mi
- Hot Springs, SD radar 23 mi
- Rapid City, SD radar 27 mi
- Box Elder, SD radar 30 mi
- Summerset, SD radar 36 mi
- Piedmont, SD radar 38 mi
- Sturgis, SD radar 52 mi
- Lead, SD radar 54 mi
- Deadwood, SD radar 55 mi