Long Lake, SD Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Long Lake, McPherson County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Long Lake?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 71 days in the McPherson forecast zone and McPherson County — the most common reported hazard around Long Lake, mostly in July and June. Next come high winds (59 days) and heavy snow & winter storms (51 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 71 | Jun 2026 | — |
| High winds | 59 | Apr 2026 | — |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 51 | Apr 2026 | Nov 21, 2010 · 1 death |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 48 | Jan 2026 | — |
| Blizzards | 45 | Feb 2026 | Jan 9, 1997 · 1 death |
| Flooding | 12 | Apr 2023 | Jun 1, 2019 · $4.9 million damage |
| Excessive heat | 8 | Aug 2024 | — |
| Flash flooding | 8 | May 2026 | May 17, 2018 · $54,000 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 McPherson forecast zone and McPherson County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
Which radars cover Long Lake?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KABR (Aberdeen, SD), about 47 miles southeast. 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 Long Lake | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KABR Aberdeen, SD | 47 mi southeast | 3,300 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KBIS Bismarck, ND | 97 mi northwest | 9,200 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KMVX Grand Forks, ND | 146 mi northeast | 17,400 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 Long Lake
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 49 tornadoes within 25 miles of Long Lake, 9 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in July and June. The strongest was an F3 on July 31, 1966, which passed about 2 miles southwest of town and caused 2 deaths. The most recent was a tornado of unknown strength on August 5, 2025, which touched down about 15 miles southeast of town.
Hail: 226 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 36 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.50-inch hail on July 9, 2002.
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 Long Lake'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.
Long Lake radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Long Lake, SD?
KABR (Aberdeen, SD), about 47 miles southeast. KBIS (Bismarck, ND) is 97 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Long Lake?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Long Lake the lowest scan from KABR is about 3,300 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Long Lake 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 Long Lake, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Aberdeen, SD radar 45 mi
- Groton, SD radar 60 mi