Vivian, SD Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Vivian, Lyman County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Vivian?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 135 days in the Lyman forecast zone and Lyman County — the most common reported hazard around Vivian, mostly in July and June. Next come high winds (100 days) and heavy snow & winter storms (56 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 135 | Jun 2026 | — |
| High winds | 100 | Jun 2026 | — |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 56 | Apr 2024 | — |
| Blizzards | 36 | Dec 2023 | — |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 25 | Jan 2026 | — |
| Flooding | 25 | Feb 2024 | Jun 1, 2019 · $5.0 million damage |
| Excessive heat | 14 | Jul 2025 | — |
| Flash flooding | 11 | Aug 2025 | Jun 20, 2011 · 2 deaths |
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 Lyman forecast zone and Lyman County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
Which radars cover Vivian?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KUDX (Rapid City, SD), about 126 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 Vivian | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KUDX Rapid City, SD | 126 mi west | 13,800 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KLNX North Platte, NE | 137 mi south | 15,700 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KABR Aberdeen, SD | 141 mi northeast | 16,400 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 Vivian
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 29 tornadoes within 25 miles of Vivian, 5 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in July and June. The strongest was an F2 on July 25, 1960, which crossed near town. The most recent was an EF0 on July 18, 2023, which touched down about 20 miles north of town.
Hail: 182 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 21 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 8.00-inch hail on July 23, 2010.
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 Vivian'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.
Vivian radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Vivian, SD?
KUDX (Rapid City, SD), about 126 miles west. KLNX (North Platte, NE) is 137 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Vivian?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Vivian the lowest scan from KUDX is about 13,800 ft up, so light snow from shallow clouds can be under-shown — check NWS winter alerts too.
Is TALON's radar for Vivian 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 Vivian, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Fort Pierre, SD radar 31 mi
- Pierre, SD radar 31 mi
- Winner, SD radar 44 mi
- Mission, SD radar 47 mi
- Chamberlain, SD radar 49 mi