Long Lake Colony, SD Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Long Lake Colony, McPherson County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Long Lake Colony?
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 Colony, 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.
How much snow does Long Lake Colony get?
A normal year brings about 34 inches of snow to Long Lake Colony, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Ipswich weather station 14.9 miles away. The snowiest month is usually February (6.8 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.1 | 4.7 | 5.7 | 6.0 | 6.8 | 5.4 | 4.0 | 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 Long Lake Colony?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KABR (Aberdeen, SD), about 22 miles east-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 Colony | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KABR Aberdeen, SD | 22 mi east-southeast | 1,300 ft | Excellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground |
| KBIS Bismarck, ND | 123 mi northwest | 13,200 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KMVX Grand Forks, ND | 151 mi north-northeast | 18,300 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 Colony
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 79 tornadoes within 25 miles of Long Lake Colony, 11 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in June and July. The strongest was an F4 on June 23, 2002, which passed about 20 miles east-northeast of town. The most recent was a tornado of unknown strength on August 5, 2025, which touched down about 11 miles northwest of town.
Hail: 329 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 44 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.50-inch hail on June 23, 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 Colony'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 Colony radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Long Lake Colony, SD?
KABR (Aberdeen, SD), about 22 miles east-southeast. KBIS (Bismarck, ND) is 123 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Long Lake Colony?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Long Lake Colony the lowest scan from KABR is about 1,300 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Long Lake Colony 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 Colony, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Aberdeen, SD radar 20 mi
- Groton, SD radar 37 mi
- Redfield, SD radar 53 mi
- Britton, SD radar 53 mi