Thunderbird Colony, SD Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Thunderbird Colony, Faulk County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Thunderbird Colony?
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 Thunderbird Colony, 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.
How much snow does Thunderbird Colony get?
A normal year brings about 35 inches of snow to Thunderbird Colony, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Onaka weather station 10 miles away. The snowiest month is usually January (7.4 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.4 | 4.8 | 5.2 | 7.4 | 6.3 | 5.1 | 5.7 | 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 Thunderbird Colony?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KABR (Aberdeen, SD), about 45 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 Thunderbird Colony | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KABR Aberdeen, SD | 45 mi east-northeast | 3,100 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KBIS Bismarck, ND | 131 mi north-northwest | 14,600 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KFSD Sioux Falls, SD | 167 mi southeast | 21,700 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 Thunderbird Colony
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 40 tornadoes within 25 miles of Thunderbird Colony, 6 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in June and May. The strongest was an F3 on June 9, 1957, which touched down about 13 miles south-southeast of town. The most recent was an EF0 on June 27, 2024, which touched down about 12 miles west-southwest of town.
Hail: 266 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 39 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 Thunderbird Colony'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.
Thunderbird Colony radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Thunderbird Colony, SD?
KABR (Aberdeen, SD), about 45 miles east-northeast. KBIS (Bismarck, ND) is 131 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Thunderbird Colony?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Thunderbird Colony the lowest scan from KABR is about 3,100 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Thunderbird Colony 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 Thunderbird Colony, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
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