Wakpala, SD Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Wakpala, Corson County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Wakpala?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 126 days in the Corson forecast zone and Corson County — the most common reported hazard around Wakpala, mostly in July and June. Next come high winds (105 days) and heavy snow & winter storms (50 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 126 | Jun 2026 | — |
| High winds | 105 | Apr 2026 | — |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 50 | Apr 2026 | Oct 26, 1996 · $120,000 damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 37 | Jan 2026 | — |
| Flooding | 37 | May 2025 | Jun 1, 2019 · $1.5 million damage |
| Blizzards | 36 | Dec 2022 | Jan 9, 1997 · 1 death |
| Flash flooding | 13 | Jun 2021 | — |
| Excessive heat | 8 | Jul 2025 | Jul 25, 2024 · $15,000 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 Corson forecast zone and Corson County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Wakpala get?
A normal year brings about 36 inches of snow to Wakpala, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Mobridge 2Nnw weather station 7.7 miles away. The snowiest month is usually February (8.0 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.2 | 3.9 | 6.8 | 7.0 | 8.0 | 5.6 | 3.7 | 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 Wakpala?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KBIS (Bismarck, ND), about 78 miles north. 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 Wakpala | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KBIS Bismarck, ND | 78 mi north | 6,600 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KABR Aberdeen, SD | 104 mi east | 10,100 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KUDX Rapid City, SD | 154 mi southwest | 19,000 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 Wakpala
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 38 tornadoes within 25 miles of Wakpala, 9 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in June and May. The strongest was an F3 on June 21, 1983, which passed about 22 miles northeast of town. The most recent was an EF1 on September 14, 2025, which passed about 11 miles southeast of town.
Hail: 186 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 16 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.50-inch hail on July 23, 1993.
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 Wakpala'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.
Wakpala radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Wakpala, SD?
KBIS (Bismarck, ND), about 78 miles north. KABR (Aberdeen, SD) is 104 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Wakpala?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Wakpala the lowest scan from KBIS is about 6,600 ft up, so light snow from shallow clouds can be under-shown — check NWS winter alerts too.
Is TALON's radar for Wakpala 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 Wakpala, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Mobridge, SD radar 10 mi
- Gettysburg, SD radar 53 mi
- Eagle Butte, SD radar 57 mi