Keystone, SD Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Keystone, Pennington County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Keystone?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 263 days in the Central Black Hills forecast zone and Pennington County — the most common reported hazard around Keystone, mostly in July and June. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (130 days) and flooding (40 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 263 | Jun 2026 | Jul 20, 2002 · $1.0 million damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 130 | Mar 2025 | Apr 18, 2006 · $500,000 damage |
| Flooding | 40 | Jun 2023 | May 21, 2019 · $2.0 million damage |
| Flash flooding | 31 | Jul 2022 | Jun 5, 2008 · $1.5 million damage |
| High winds | 19 | Nov 2024 | — |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 12 | Aug 2016 | Aug 3, 2011 · 1 death |
| Blizzards | 10 | Mar 2021 | Apr 18, 2000 · $1.5 million damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 8 | Jan 2025 | — |
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 Central Black Hills forecast zone and Pennington County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Keystone get?
A normal year brings about 59 inches of snow to Keystone, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Mt Rushmore Nmem weather station 2 miles away. The snowiest month is usually April (13.1 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4.9 | 6.4 | 6.6 | 7.2 | 8.9 | 9.6 | 13.1 | 1.5 |
Normal snowfall in inches. TALON Pro compares this season's snow at your location with these normals as winter goes on.
Which radars cover Keystone?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KUDX (Rapid City, SD), about 34 miles east-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 Keystone | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KUDX Rapid City, SD | 34 mi east-northeast | 2,100 ft | Excellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground |
| KLNX North Platte, NE | 197 mi southeast | 28,400 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KCYS Cheyenne, WY | 202 mi south-southwest | 29,700 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 Keystone
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 41 tornadoes within 25 miles of Keystone, 8 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in June and May. The strongest was an F3 on May 11, 1991, which touched down about 23 miles north-northeast of town. The most recent was an EF1 on May 23, 2021, which passed about 11 miles south-southwest of town.
Hail: 1,610 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 234 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 6.00-inch hail on June 22, 1968.
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 Keystone'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.
Keystone radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Keystone, SD?
KUDX (Rapid City, SD), about 34 miles east-northeast. KLNX (North Platte, NE) is 197 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Keystone?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Keystone the lowest scan from KUDX is about 2,100 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Keystone 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 Keystone, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Custer, SD radar 12 mi
- Rapid City, SD radar 16 mi
- Summerset, SD radar 21 mi
- Piedmont, SD radar 22 mi
- Box Elder, SD radar 23 mi
- Hot Springs, SD radar 33 mi
- Sturgis, SD radar 36 mi
- Lead, SD radar 36 mi
- Deadwood, SD radar 37 mi
- Spearfish, SD radar 46 mi