Spencer, SD Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Spencer, McCook County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Spencer?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 62 days in the McCook forecast zone and McCook County — the most common reported hazard around Spencer, mostly in July and June. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (60 days) and high winds (40 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 62 | Jun 2026 | Aug 3, 2004 · $300,000 damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 60 | Dec 2025 | Feb 24, 2007 · 1 death |
| High winds | 40 | Mar 2026 | Feb 10, 1996 · $20,000 damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 31 | Dec 2025 | — |
| Blizzards | 29 | Mar 2026 | Jan 17, 1996 · 1 death · $10,000 damage |
| Excessive heat | 25 | Jun 2026 | — |
| Flooding | 19 | Jun 2024 | Jun 1, 2019 · $41 million damage |
| Flash flooding | 6 | Jun 2024 | Sep 10, 2019 · $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 McCook forecast zone and McCook County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Spencer get?
A normal year brings about 36 inches of snow to Spencer, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Alexandria weather station 11.6 miles away. The snowiest month is usually December (8.2 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.9 | 3.2 | 8.2 | 6.1 | 8.0 | 5.2 | 4.7 | 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 Spencer?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KFSD (Sioux Falls, SD), about 44 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 Spencer | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KFSD Sioux Falls, SD | 44 mi east-southeast | 3,000 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KABR Aberdeen, SD | 126 mi north-northwest | 13,800 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KOAX Omaha, NE | 178 mi south-southeast | 24,000 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 Spencer
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 119 tornadoes within 25 miles of Spencer, 33 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in May and June. The strongest was an F4 on May 30, 1998, which crossed near town and caused 6 deaths. The most recent was a tornado of unknown strength on May 30, 2022, which touched down about 19 miles east-northeast of town.
Hail: 324 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 16, 1992.
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 Spencer'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.
Spencer radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Spencer, SD?
KFSD (Sioux Falls, SD), about 44 miles east-southeast. KABR (Aberdeen, SD) is 126 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Spencer?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Spencer the lowest scan from KFSD is about 3,000 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Spencer 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 Spencer, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Salem, SD radar 10 mi
- Mitchell, SD radar 23 mi
- Freeman, SD radar 27 mi
- Parkston, SD radar 30 mi
- Madison, SD radar 31 mi
- Parker, SD radar 32 mi
- Hartford, SD radar 34 mi
- Crooks, SD radar 40 mi
- Baltic, SD radar 43 mi
- Tea, SD radar 43 mi