Kadoka, SD Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Kadoka, Jackson County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Kadoka?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 173 days in the Northern Jackson forecast zone and Jackson County — the most common reported hazard around Kadoka, mostly in July and June. Next come high winds (95 days) and heavy snow & winter storms (63 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 173 | Jun 2026 | May 18, 2012 · $400,000 damage |
| High winds | 95 | Jan 2026 | Apr 24, 1996 · $50,000 damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 63 | Mar 2023 | Oct 26, 1996 · $5,000 damage |
| Blizzards | 26 | Dec 2023 | Mar 23, 2009 · $3.0 million damage |
| Flooding | 20 | Oct 2023 | Jun 5, 2008 · $500,000 damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 10 | Feb 2025 | — |
| Flash flooding | 9 | Jun 2026 | Jun 24, 2011 · $20,000 damage |
| Ice storms & sleet | 2 | Mar 2002 | Mar 6, 2002 · 2 deaths · $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 Northern Jackson forecast zone and Jackson County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
Which radars cover Kadoka?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KUDX (Rapid City, SD), about 69 miles west-northwest. 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 Kadoka | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KUDX Rapid City, SD | 69 mi west-northwest | 5,600 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KLNX North Platte, NE | 137 mi south-southeast | 15,800 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KABR Aberdeen, SD | 189 mi northeast | 26,600 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 Kadoka
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 26 tornadoes within 25 miles of Kadoka, 5 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in June and May. The strongest was an EF2 on June 28, 2025, which touched down about 5 miles south-southwest of town.
Hail: 213 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 30 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.50-inch hail on June 28, 2025.
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 Kadoka'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.
Kadoka radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Kadoka, SD?
KUDX (Rapid City, SD), about 69 miles west-northwest. KLNX (North Platte, NE) is 137 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Kadoka?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Kadoka the lowest scan from KUDX is about 5,600 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Kadoka 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 Kadoka, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Mission, SD radar 55 mi