Smithwick, SD Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Smithwick, Fall River County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Smithwick?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 147 days in the Eastern Fall River forecast zone and Fall River County — the most common reported hazard around Smithwick, mostly in July and June. Next come flash flooding (16 days) and flooding (11 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 147 | Jun 2026 | Jul 20, 2009 · 1 death |
| Flash flooding | 16 | May 2018 | Jun 1, 2008 · $100,000 damage |
| Flooding | 11 | Jul 2019 | May 22, 2019 · $200,000 damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 3 | Mar 2025 | — |
| High winds | 3 | Dec 2025 | — |
| Wildfires | 3 | Sep 2000 | — |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 2 | Jan 2025 | — |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 1 | Jul 1997 | Jul 23, 1997 · $5,000 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 Eastern Fall River forecast zone and Fall River County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Smithwick get?
A normal year brings about 44 inches of snow to Smithwick, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Oelrichs weather station 7.7 miles away. The snowiest month is usually December (8.3 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.6 | 5.5 | 8.3 | 6.2 | 7.3 | 7.1 | 5.3 | 0.3 |
Normal snowfall in inches. TALON Pro compares this season's snow at your location with these normals as winter goes on.
Which radars cover Smithwick?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KUDX (Rapid City, SD), about 60 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 Smithwick | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KUDX Rapid City, SD | 60 mi north-northeast | 4,600 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KLNX North Platte, NE | 163 mi east-southeast | 20,800 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KCYS Cheyenne, WY | 169 mi south-southwest | 22,100 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 Smithwick
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 27 tornadoes within 25 miles of Smithwick, 6 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in June and July. The strongest was an F2 on June 4, 1999, which passed about 25 miles east-southeast of town and caused 1 death. The most recent was an EF0 on August 26, 2017, which touched down about 17 miles south-southwest of town.
Hail: 307 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 55 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.50-inch hail on June 12, 2001.
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 Smithwick'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.
Smithwick radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Smithwick, SD?
KUDX (Rapid City, SD), about 60 miles north-northeast. KLNX (North Platte, NE) is 163 miles away and also covers the area.
Can radar see a tornado near Smithwick?
Radar can't see the tornado itself, but it shows the rotating storm and, once debris is lofted, a debris signature. Over Smithwick the lowest scan from KUDX is about 4,600 ft up — good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly.
Is TALON's radar for Smithwick 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 Smithwick, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Hot Springs, SD radar 15 mi
- Custer, SD radar 38 mi
- Rapid City, SD radar 53 mi
- Box Elder, SD radar 57 mi