Ideal, SD Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Ideal, Tripp County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Ideal?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 129 days in the Tripp forecast zone and Tripp County — the most common reported hazard around Ideal, mostly in July and August. Next come high winds (78 days) and heavy snow & winter storms (62 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 129 | Jun 2026 | Jun 24, 2009 · $400,000 damage |
| High winds | 78 | Jan 2026 | — |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 62 | Mar 2025 | — |
| Blizzards | 23 | Dec 2023 | Mar 30, 2009 · $200,000 damage |
| Flooding | 21 | Jun 2024 | Jul 14, 2013 · $10,000 damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 11 | Feb 2025 | — |
| Flash flooding | 9 | Jun 2024 | Jun 5, 2008 · $250,000 damage |
| Excessive heat | 1 | Jul 2006 | — |
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 Tripp forecast zone and Tripp County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Ideal get?
A normal year brings about 49 inches of snow to Ideal, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Winner weather station 12.5 miles away. The snowiest month is usually December (9.6 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.9 | 6.0 | 9.6 | 7.2 | 6.9 | 8.3 | 9.2 | 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 Ideal?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KLNX (North Platte, NE), about 114 miles south-southwest. 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 Ideal | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KLNX North Platte, NE | 114 mi south-southwest | 11,800 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KUDX Rapid City, SD | 151 mi west-northwest | 18,300 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KABR Aberdeen, SD | 152 mi north-northeast | 18,500 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 Ideal
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 44 tornadoes within 25 miles of Ideal, 7 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in July and June. The strongest was an F5 on May 8, 1965, which passed about 16 miles east-southeast of town. The most recent was an EF1 on July 28, 2025, which passed about 23 miles east-southeast of town.
Hail: 223 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 26 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.50-inch hail on August 6, 1986.
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 Ideal'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.
Ideal radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Ideal, SD?
KLNX (North Platte, NE), about 114 miles south-southwest. KUDX (Rapid City, SD) is 151 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Ideal?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Ideal the lowest scan from KLNX is about 11,800 ft up, so light snow from shallow clouds can be under-shown — check NWS winter alerts too.
Is TALON's radar for Ideal 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 Ideal, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Winner, SD radar 12 mi
- Gregory, SD radar 33 mi
- Chamberlain, SD radar 35 mi
- Mission, SD radar 40 mi
- Platte, SD radar 55 mi
- Pierre, SD radar 61 mi
- Fort Pierre, SD radar 62 mi