Summit, SD Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Summit, Roberts County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Summit?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged high winds on 90 days in the Roberts forecast zone and Roberts County — the most common reported hazard around Summit, mostly in November and March. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (78 days) and blizzards (70 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| High winds | 90 | May 2026 | — |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 78 | Apr 2026 | — |
| Blizzards | 70 | Dec 2025 | — |
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 65 | Jun 2026 | — |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 51 | Jan 2026 | Dec 8, 1996 · 1 death |
| Flooding | 31 | Jun 2025 | Jun 1, 2019 · $12 million damage |
| Flash flooding | 12 | Aug 2025 | Jun 11, 2008 · $150,000 damage |
| Ice storms & sleet | 6 | Dec 2023 | Dec 25, 2016 · $1.2 million 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 Roberts forecast zone and Roberts County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Summit get?
A normal year brings about 59 inches of snow to Summit, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Summit 1 W weather station 1.1 miles away. The snowiest month is usually February (12.4 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.0 | 5.4 | 11.9 | 10.2 | 12.4 | 8.8 | 7.8 | 0.1 |
Normal snowfall in inches. TALON Pro compares this season's snow at your location with these normals as winter goes on.
Which radars cover Summit?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KABR (Aberdeen, SD), about 67 miles west. 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 Summit | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KABR Aberdeen, SD | 67 mi west | 5,400 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KFSD Sioux Falls, SD | 120 mi south | 12,700 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KMVX Grand Forks, ND | 154 mi north | 19,000 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 Summit
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 64 tornadoes within 25 miles of Summit, 5 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in June and May. The strongest was an F3 on May 17, 1996, which passed about 24 miles east-southeast of town. The most recent was an EF0 on June 6, 2023, which touched down about 14 miles south of town.
Hail: 221 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 26 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.00-inch hail on July 19, 1997.
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 Summit'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.
Summit radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Summit, SD?
KABR (Aberdeen, SD), about 67 miles west. KFSD (Sioux Falls, SD) is 120 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Summit?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Summit the lowest scan from KABR is about 5,400 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Summit 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 Summit, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Milbank, SD radar 21 mi
- Webster, SD radar 24 mi
- Sisseton, SD radar 25 mi
- Watertown, SD radar 28 mi
- Clear Lake, SD radar 42 mi
- Clark, SD radar 45 mi
- Britton, SD radar 48 mi
- Groton, SD radar 52 mi