Kennebec, SD Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Kennebec, Lyman County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Kennebec?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 135 days in the Lyman forecast zone and Lyman County — the most common reported hazard around Kennebec, mostly in July and June. Next come high winds (100 days) and heavy snow & winter storms (56 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 135 | Jun 2026 | — |
| High winds | 100 | Jun 2026 | — |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 56 | Apr 2024 | — |
| Blizzards | 36 | Dec 2023 | — |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 25 | Jan 2026 | — |
| Flooding | 25 | Feb 2024 | Jun 1, 2019 · $5.0 million damage |
| Excessive heat | 14 | Jul 2025 | — |
| Flash flooding | 11 | Aug 2025 | Jun 20, 2011 · 2 deaths |
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 Lyman forecast zone and Lyman County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Kennebec get?
A normal year brings about 40 inches of snow to Kennebec, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Kennebec weather station in town. The snowiest month is usually February (7.6 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.6 | 6.0 | 7.2 | 5.5 | 7.6 | 5.5 | 6.2 | 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 Kennebec?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KABR (Aberdeen, SD), about 129 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 Kennebec | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KABR Aberdeen, SD | 129 mi north-northeast | 14,200 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KLNX North Platte, NE | 139 mi south-southwest | 16,100 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KUDX Rapid City, SD | 148 mi west | 17,800 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 Kennebec
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 52 tornadoes within 25 miles of Kennebec, 6 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in July and June. The strongest was an F3 on June 16, 1992, which touched down about 24 miles east-northeast of town. The most recent was a tornado of unknown strength on June 12, 2022, which touched down about 12 miles north-northeast of town.
Hail: 193 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 29 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 8.00-inch hail on July 23, 2010.
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 Kennebec'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.
Kennebec radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Kennebec, SD?
KABR (Aberdeen, SD), about 129 miles north-northeast. KLNX (North Platte, NE) is 139 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Kennebec?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Kennebec the lowest scan from KABR is about 14,200 ft up, so light snow from shallow clouds can be under-shown — check NWS winter alerts too.
Is TALON's radar for Kennebec 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 Kennebec, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Chamberlain, SD radar 28 mi
- Winner, SD radar 36 mi
- Pierre, SD radar 40 mi
- Fort Pierre, SD radar 41 mi
- Gregory, SD radar 52 mi
- Mission, SD radar 57 mi
- Miller, SD radar 61 mi