Isabel, SD Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Isabel, Dewey County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Isabel?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 96 days in the Dewey forecast zone and Dewey County — the most common reported hazard around Isabel, mostly in July and June. Next come high winds (82 days) and heavy snow & winter storms (50 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 96 | Jun 2026 | — |
| High winds | 82 | Apr 2026 | — |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 50 | Apr 2026 | — |
| Blizzards | 41 | Dec 2023 | — |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 37 | Jan 2026 | Jan 1, 2017 · 2 deaths |
| Flooding | 17 | Sep 2025 | Jun 1, 2019 · $2.9 million damage |
| Flash flooding | 11 | Aug 2017 | Jun 16, 2010 · $100,000 damage |
| Excessive heat | 8 | Jul 2024 | Jul 25, 2024 · $9,000 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 Dewey forecast zone and Dewey County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Isabel get?
A normal year brings about 39 inches of snow to Isabel, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Isabel 14 Nne weather station 15 miles away. The snowiest month is usually February (8.8 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.3 | 4.0 | 8.4 | 5.1 | 8.8 | 6.1 | 3.9 | 0.6 |
Normal snowfall in inches. TALON Pro compares this season's snow at your location with these normals as winter goes on.
Which radars cover Isabel?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KBIS (Bismarck, ND), about 100 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 Isabel | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KBIS Bismarck, ND | 100 mi north-northeast | 9,700 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KUDX Rapid City, SD | 111 mi southwest | 11,300 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KABR Aberdeen, SD | 146 mi east | 17,500 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 Isabel
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 21 tornadoes within 25 miles of Isabel, 3 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in June and July. The strongest was an F3 on June 21, 1983, which passed about 7 miles west-northwest of town. The most recent was an EF0 on June 21, 2015, which touched down about 21 miles west of town.
Hail: 179 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 28 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.00-inch hail on July 5, 2022.
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 Isabel'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.
Isabel radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Isabel, SD?
KBIS (Bismarck, ND), about 100 miles north-northeast. KUDX (Rapid City, SD) is 111 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Isabel?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Isabel the lowest scan from KBIS is about 9,700 ft up, so light snow from shallow clouds can be under-shown — check NWS winter alerts too.
Is TALON's radar for Isabel 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 Isabel, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Eagle Butte, SD radar 29 mi
- Mobridge, SD radar 49 mi
- Lemmon, SD radar 52 mi