Orient, SD Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Orient, Faulk County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Orient?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 54 days in the Faulk forecast zone and Faulk County — the most common reported hazard around Orient, mostly in June and July. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (52 days) and blizzards (46 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 54 | Jun 2026 | — |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 52 | Feb 2026 | — |
| Blizzards | 46 | Nov 2025 | — |
| High winds | 46 | Apr 2026 | — |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 41 | Jan 2026 | — |
| Excessive heat | 14 | Jul 2025 | — |
| Flooding | 12 | Apr 2023 | Jun 1, 2019 · $23 million damage |
| Flash flooding | 7 | Jul 2022 | Sep 2, 1999 · $10,000 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 Faulk forecast zone and Faulk County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Orient get?
A normal year brings about 44 inches of snow to Orient, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Faulkton 1 Nw weather station 9.6 miles away. The snowiest month is usually February (9.3 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.9 | 3.4 | 8.6 | 7.6 | 9.3 | 6.8 | 7.1 | 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 Orient?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KABR (Aberdeen, SD), about 51 miles 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 Orient | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KABR Aberdeen, SD | 51 mi northeast | 3,600 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KFSD Sioux Falls, SD | 148 mi southeast | 17,800 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KBIS Bismarck, ND | 152 mi north-northwest | 18,600 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 Orient
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 50 tornadoes within 25 miles of Orient, 8 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in June and August. The strongest was an F3 on June 9, 1957, which touched down about 9 miles north-northwest of town. The most recent was an EF2 on August 30, 2020, which touched down about 14 miles south-southeast of town.
Hail: 240 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 29 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 5.00-inch hail on June 28, 1955.
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 Orient'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.
Orient radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Orient, SD?
KABR (Aberdeen, SD), about 51 miles northeast. KFSD (Sioux Falls, SD) is 148 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Orient?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Orient the lowest scan from KABR is about 3,600 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Orient 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 Orient, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Miller, SD radar 27 mi
- Redfield, SD radar 28 mi
- Gettysburg, SD radar 43 mi
- Aberdeen, SD radar 49 mi
- Huron, SD radar 57 mi
- Groton, SD radar 61 mi