Vilas, SD Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Vilas, Miner County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Vilas?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 55 days in the Miner forecast zone and Miner County — the most common reported hazard around Vilas, mostly in June and July. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (41 days) and extreme cold & wind chill (36 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 55 | Jun 2026 | May 30, 2022 · $135,000 damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 41 | Nov 2025 | Mar 31, 1998 · $5,000 damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 36 | Dec 2025 | — |
| Blizzards | 31 | Mar 2026 | Jan 17, 1996 · $110,000 damage |
| High winds | 29 | Mar 2026 | Apr 5, 2000 · $17,000 damage |
| Excessive heat | 21 | Jun 2026 | — |
| Flooding | 8 | Jun 2024 | Jun 1, 2019 · $19 million damage |
| Ice storms & sleet | 4 | Apr 2023 | Nov 27, 2005 · $1.0 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 Miner forecast zone and Miner County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Vilas get?
A normal year brings about 36 inches of snow to Vilas, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Howard weather station 3.2 miles away. The snowiest month is usually December (7.6 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.0 | 3.2 | 7.6 | 5.8 | 6.4 | 6.6 | 5.2 | 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 Vilas?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KFSD (Sioux Falls, SD), about 52 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 Vilas | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KFSD Sioux Falls, SD | 52 mi east-southeast | 3,800 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KABR Aberdeen, SD | 108 mi north-northwest | 10,800 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KOAX Omaha, NE | 196 mi south-southeast | 28,200 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 Vilas
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 112 tornadoes within 25 miles of Vilas, 25 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in May and June. The strongest was an F4 on May 30, 1998, which passed about 18 miles south-southwest of town and caused 6 deaths. The most recent was a tornado of unknown strength on May 30, 2022, which touched down about 24 miles southeast of town.
Hail: 290 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 37 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 Vilas'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.
Vilas radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Vilas, SD?
KFSD (Sioux Falls, SD), about 52 miles east-southeast. KABR (Aberdeen, SD) is 108 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Vilas?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Vilas the lowest scan from KFSD is about 3,800 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Vilas 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 Vilas, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Salem, SD radar 22 mi
- Madison, SD radar 24 mi
- De Smet, SD radar 26 mi
- Mitchell, SD radar 30 mi
- Huron, SD radar 39 mi
- Volga, SD radar 40 mi
- Hartford, SD radar 42 mi
- Brookings, SD radar 45 mi
- Dell Rapids, SD radar 46 mi
- Baltic, SD radar 46 mi