Rockham, SD Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Rockham, Faulk County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Rockham?
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 Rockham, 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.
Which radars cover Rockham?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KABR (Aberdeen, SD), about 43 miles north-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 Rockham | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KABR Aberdeen, SD | 43 mi north-northeast | 2,900 ft | Excellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground |
| KFSD Sioux Falls, SD | 138 mi southeast | 15,900 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KBIS Bismarck, ND | 159 mi northwest | 20,000 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 Rockham
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 58 tornadoes within 25 miles of Rockham, 11 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in June and July. The strongest was an F3 on June 7, 1993, which passed about 19 miles southeast of town. The most recent was an EF2 on August 30, 2020, which touched down about 15 miles south-southwest of town.
Hail: 273 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 35 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 Rockham'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.
Rockham radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Rockham, SD?
KABR (Aberdeen, SD), about 43 miles north-northeast. KFSD (Sioux Falls, SD) is 138 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Rockham?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Rockham the lowest scan from KABR is about 2,900 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Rockham 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 Rockham, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Redfield, SD radar 15 mi
- Miller, SD radar 28 mi
- Aberdeen, SD radar 42 mi
- Huron, SD radar 48 mi
- Groton, SD radar 52 mi
- Clark, SD radar 53 mi
- Gettysburg, SD radar 56 mi