Hitchcock, SD Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Hitchcock, Beadle County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Hitchcock?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 99 days in the Beadle forecast zone and Beadle County — the most common reported hazard around Hitchcock, mostly in July and August. Next come flooding (62 days) and high winds (46 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 99 | Jun 2026 | Aug 28, 2002 · $1.0 million damage |
| Flooding | 62 | Aug 2025 | Jun 1, 2019 · $45 million damage |
| High winds | 46 | Mar 2026 | Feb 11, 2002 · $50,000 damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 42 | Nov 2025 | Nov 28, 2019 · 1 death |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 37 | Dec 2025 | — |
| Blizzards | 37 | Mar 2026 | Nov 28, 2005 · $100,000 damage |
| Excessive heat | 23 | Jun 2026 | — |
| Flash flooding | 12 | Aug 2025 | Jun 10, 2023 · $220,000 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 Beadle forecast zone and Beadle County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
Which radars cover Hitchcock?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KABR (Aberdeen, SD), about 57 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 Hitchcock | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KABR Aberdeen, SD | 57 mi north | 4,300 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KFSD Sioux Falls, SD | 110 mi southeast | 11,100 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KBIS Bismarck, ND | 187 mi northwest | 26,000 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 Hitchcock
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 57 tornadoes within 25 miles of Hitchcock, 8 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in June and July. The strongest was an F3 on August 24, 2006, which passed about 18 miles south-southwest of town. The most recent was an EF0 on June 19, 2025, which touched down about 22 miles east-northeast of town.
Hail: 260 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 33 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.00-inch hail on June 21, 2013.
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 Hitchcock'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.
Hitchcock radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Hitchcock, SD?
KABR (Aberdeen, SD), about 57 miles north. KFSD (Sioux Falls, SD) is 110 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Hitchcock?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Hitchcock the lowest scan from KABR is about 4,300 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Hitchcock 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 Hitchcock, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Redfield, SD radar 18 mi
- Huron, SD radar 21 mi
- Miller, SD radar 29 mi
- Clark, SD radar 37 mi
- De Smet, SD radar 46 mi
- Aberdeen, SD radar 58 mi
- Groton, SD radar 59 mi