White River, SD Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for White River, Mellette County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits White River?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 78 days in the Mellette forecast zone and Mellette County — the most common reported hazard around White River, mostly in June and July. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (62 days) and high winds (56 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 78 | Jun 2026 | Aug 20, 2000 · $200,000 damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 62 | Mar 2025 | — |
| High winds | 56 | Jan 2026 | — |
| Blizzards | 25 | Dec 2023 | Dec 12, 2022 · 1 death |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 11 | Feb 2025 | — |
| Flooding | 11 | May 2019 | Jun 5, 2008 · $100,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 5 | Jun 2024 | Jun 20, 2024 · $10,000 damage |
| Excessive heat | 1 | Jul 2006 | — |
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 Mellette forecast zone and Mellette County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does White River get?
A normal year brings about 40 inches of snow to White River, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Cedar Butte weather station 13.7 miles away. The snowiest month is usually February (8.0 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.6 | 5.1 | 6.7 | 6.6 | 8.0 | 6.0 | 5.6 | 0.4 |
Normal snowfall in inches. TALON Pro compares this season's snow at your location with these normals as winter goes on.
Which radars cover White River?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KUDX (Rapid City, SD), about 111 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 White River | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KUDX Rapid City, SD | 111 mi west-northwest | 11,200 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KLNX North Platte, NE | 112 mi south | 11,400 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KABR Aberdeen, SD | 174 mi northeast | 23,100 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 White River
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 37 tornadoes within 25 miles of White River, 5 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in July and June. The strongest was an F2 on June 15, 1971, which touched down about 19 miles south-southeast of town. The most recent was a tornado of unknown strength on July 20, 2025, which touched down about 22 miles southwest of town.
Hail: 245 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 29 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.50-inch hail on July 20, 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 White River'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.
White River radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to White River, SD?
KUDX (Rapid City, SD), about 111 miles west-northwest. KLNX (North Platte, NE) is 112 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in White River?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over White River the lowest scan from KUDX is about 11,200 ft up, so light snow from shallow clouds can be under-shown — check NWS winter alerts too.
Is TALON's radar for White River 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 White River, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
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