Swift Bird, SD Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Swift Bird, Dewey County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Swift Bird?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 96 days in the Dewey forecast zone and Dewey County — the most common reported hazard around Swift Bird, mostly in July and June. Next come high winds (82 days) and heavy snow & winter storms (50 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 96 | Jun 2026 | — |
| High winds | 82 | Apr 2026 | — |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 50 | Apr 2026 | — |
| Blizzards | 41 | Dec 2023 | — |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 37 | Jan 2026 | Jan 1, 2017 · 2 deaths |
| Flooding | 17 | Sep 2025 | Jun 1, 2019 · $2.9 million damage |
| Flash flooding | 11 | Aug 2017 | Jun 16, 2010 · $100,000 damage |
| Excessive heat | 8 | Jul 2024 | Jul 25, 2024 · $9,000 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 Dewey forecast zone and Dewey County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
Which radars cover Swift Bird?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KABR (Aberdeen, SD), about 98 miles east-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 Swift Bird | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KABR Aberdeen, SD | 98 mi east-northeast | 9,400 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KBIS Bismarck, ND | 120 mi north | 12,700 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KUDX Rapid City, SD | 138 mi west-southwest | 15,900 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 Swift Bird
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 27 tornadoes within 25 miles of Swift Bird, 4 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in June and May. The strongest was an F2 on June 8, 1964, which passed about 17 miles west-northwest of town. The most recent was an EF0 on May 22, 2010, which touched down about 19 miles northeast of town.
Hail: 132 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 14 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.25-inch hail on August 24, 2006.
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 Swift Bird'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.
Swift Bird radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Swift Bird, SD?
KABR (Aberdeen, SD), about 98 miles east-northeast. KBIS (Bismarck, ND) is 120 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Swift Bird?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Swift Bird the lowest scan from KABR is about 9,400 ft up, so light snow from shallow clouds can be under-shown — check NWS winter alerts too.
Is TALON's radar for Swift Bird 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 Swift Bird, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Gettysburg, SD radar 20 mi
- Mobridge, SD radar 33 mi
- Eagle Butte, SD radar 43 mi
- Pierre, SD radar 47 mi
- Fort Pierre, SD radar 48 mi