Wanblee, SD Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Wanblee, Jackson County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Wanblee?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 173 days in the Southern Jackson forecast zone and Jackson County — the most common reported hazard around Wanblee, mostly in July and June. Next come flooding (19 days) and flash flooding (9 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 173 | Jun 2026 | May 18, 2012 · $400,000 damage |
| Flooding | 19 | Oct 2023 | Jun 5, 2008 · $500,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 9 | Jun 2026 | Jun 24, 2011 · $20,000 damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 3 | Feb 2025 | — |
| High winds | 3 | Mar 2025 | — |
| Wildfires | 2 | Sep 2000 | — |
| Blizzards | 1 | Dec 2023 | — |
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 Southern Jackson forecast zone and Jackson County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
Which radars cover Wanblee?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KUDX (Rapid City, SD), about 70 miles west-northwest. 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 Wanblee | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KUDX Rapid City, SD | 70 mi west-northwest | 5,600 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KLNX North Platte, NE | 124 mi south-southeast | 13,500 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KABR Aberdeen, SD | 206 mi northeast | 30,800 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 Wanblee
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 34 tornadoes within 25 miles of Wanblee, 6 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in June and August. The strongest was an F3 on August 6, 1956, which passed about 24 miles southwest of town. The most recent was an EF2 on June 28, 2025, which touched down about 15 miles north-northeast of town.
Hail: 213 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 30 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.50-inch hail on June 28, 2025.
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 Wanblee'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.
Wanblee radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Wanblee, SD?
KUDX (Rapid City, SD), about 70 miles west-northwest. KLNX (North Platte, NE) is 124 miles away and also covers the area.
Can radar see a tornado near Wanblee?
Radar can't see the tornado itself, but it shows the rotating storm and, once debris is lofted, a debris signature. Over Wanblee the lowest scan from KUDX is about 5,600 ft up — good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly.
Is TALON's radar for Wanblee 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 Wanblee, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
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