Plainview Colony, SD Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Plainview Colony, Edmunds County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Plainview Colony?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 85 days in the Edmunds forecast zone and Edmunds County — the most common reported hazard around Plainview Colony, mostly in July and June. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (60 days) and high winds (54 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 85 | Jun 2026 | — |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 60 | Apr 2026 | — |
| High winds | 54 | Apr 2026 | — |
| Blizzards | 46 | Feb 2026 | — |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 42 | Jan 2026 | — |
| Flooding | 14 | Apr 2023 | Jun 1, 2019 · $15 million damage |
| Flash flooding | 14 | Jul 2022 | Sep 8, 2009 · $5,000 damage |
| Excessive heat | 10 | Aug 2024 | — |
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 Edmunds forecast zone and Edmunds County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Plainview Colony get?
A normal year brings about 34 inches of snow to Plainview Colony, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Ipswich weather station 9.3 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 Plainview Colony?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KABR (Aberdeen, SD), about 30 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 Plainview Colony | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KABR Aberdeen, SD | 30 mi east-southeast | 1,900 ft | Excellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground |
| KBIS Bismarck, ND | 117 mi northwest | 12,300 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KMVX Grand Forks, ND | 157 mi north-northeast | 19,500 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 Plainview Colony
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 57 tornadoes within 25 miles of Plainview Colony, 10 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in June and July. The strongest was an F3 on July 31, 1966, which passed about 10 miles north-northwest of town and caused 2 deaths. The most recent was a tornado of unknown strength on August 5, 2025, which touched down about 9 miles north of town.
Hail: 259 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 35 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 Plainview 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.
Plainview Colony radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Plainview Colony, SD?
KABR (Aberdeen, SD), about 30 miles east-southeast. KBIS (Bismarck, ND) is 117 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Plainview Colony?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Plainview Colony the lowest scan from KABR is about 1,900 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Plainview 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 Plainview Colony, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Aberdeen, SD radar 28 mi
- Groton, SD radar 45 mi
- Redfield, SD radar 54 mi
- Gettysburg, SD radar 61 mi