Wounded Knee, SD Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Wounded Knee, Oglala Lakota County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Wounded Knee?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 173 days in the Southern Oglala Lakota forecast zone and Oglala Lakota County — the most common reported hazard around Wounded Knee, mostly in July and June. Next come flooding (18 days) and flash flooding (10 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 173 | Jun 2026 | Apr 17, 2006 · 1 death · $20,000 damage |
| Flooding | 18 | Jun 2026 | Jun 2, 2026 · $1.3 million damage |
| Flash flooding | 10 | Jun 2026 | Jun 2, 2026 · $1.3 million damage |
| High winds | 4 | Dec 2025 | — |
| Wildfires | 3 | Sep 2000 | — |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 2 | Jan 2025 | — |
| Blizzards | 1 | Dec 2023 | — |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 1 | Jun 2001 | Jun 9, 2001 · 1 death · $1,000 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 Southern Oglala Lakota forecast zone and Oglala Lakota County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
Which radars cover Wounded Knee?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KUDX (Rapid City, SD), about 72 miles north-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 Wounded Knee | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KUDX Rapid City, SD | 72 mi north-northwest | 5,900 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KLNX North Platte, NE | 123 mi southeast | 13,200 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KCYS Cheyenne, WY | 186 mi southwest | 25,800 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 Wounded Knee
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 49 tornadoes within 25 miles of Wounded Knee, 8 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in June and July. The strongest was an F3 on August 6, 1956, which passed about 21 miles northeast of town. The most recent was a tornado of unknown strength on July 3, 2021, which touched down about 25 miles south of town.
Hail: 306 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 34 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.25-inch hail on August 17, 2014.
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 Wounded Knee'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.
Wounded Knee radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Wounded Knee, SD?
KUDX (Rapid City, SD), about 72 miles north-northwest. KLNX (North Platte, NE) is 123 miles away and also covers the area.
Can radar see a tornado near Wounded Knee?
Radar can't see the tornado itself, but it shows the rotating storm and, once debris is lofted, a debris signature. Over Wounded Knee the lowest scan from KUDX is about 5,900 ft up — good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly.
Is TALON's radar for Wounded Knee 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 Wounded Knee, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
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