Utica, SD Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Utica, Yankton County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Utica?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 64 days in the Yankton forecast zone and Yankton County — the most common reported hazard around Utica, mostly in July and June. Next come flooding (60 days) and heavy snow & winter storms (55 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 64 | Jul 2025 | Jul 6, 2020 · $1.3 million damage |
| Flooding | 60 | Jul 2024 | Jun 1, 2019 · $22 million damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 55 | Nov 2025 | Dec 30, 2006 · $40,000 damage |
| High winds | 42 | Mar 2026 | Oct 29, 1996 · $50,000 damage |
| Excessive heat | 29 | Jun 2026 | Aug 21, 2023 · 1 death |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 25 | Dec 2025 | — |
| Blizzards | 24 | Mar 2026 | Nov 28, 2005 · $50,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 11 | Jul 2024 | Jul 6, 1998 · $50,000 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 Yankton forecast zone and Yankton County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Utica get?
A normal year brings about 38 inches of snow to Utica, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Yankton 2 E weather station 9.8 miles away. The snowiest month is usually February (8.5 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.8 | 5.9 | 7.6 | 6.7 | 8.5 | 4.7 | 3.7 | 0.2 |
Normal snowfall in inches. TALON Pro compares this season's snow at your location with these normals as winter goes on.
Which radars cover Utica?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KFSD (Sioux Falls, SD), about 57 miles 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 Utica | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KFSD Sioux Falls, SD | 57 mi northeast | 4,300 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KOAX Omaha, NE | 129 mi south-southeast | 14,200 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KLNX North Platte, NE | 172 mi west-southwest | 22,700 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 Utica
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 110 tornadoes within 25 miles of Utica, 28 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in May and June. The strongest was an F4 on June 7, 1965, which passed about 19 miles northeast of town and caused 1 death. The most recent was an EF0 on July 3, 2023, which touched down about 10 miles west-northwest of town.
Hail: 444 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 57 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 5.00-inch hail on July 17, 1965.
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 Utica'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.
Utica radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Utica, SD?
KFSD (Sioux Falls, SD), about 57 miles northeast. KOAX (Omaha, NE) is 129 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Utica?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Utica the lowest scan from KFSD is about 4,300 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Utica 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 Utica, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Yankton, SD radar 8 mi
- Tyndall, SD radar 19 mi
- Springfield, SD radar 22 mi
- Freeman, SD radar 26 mi
- Vermillion, SD radar 32 mi
- Parker, SD radar 34 mi
- Beresford, SD radar 37 mi
- Parkston, SD radar 38 mi
- Lennox, SD radar 40 mi
- Wagner, SD radar 41 mi