Mankato, KS Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Mankato, Jewell County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Mankato?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 75 days in the Jewell forecast zone and Jewell County — the most common reported hazard around Mankato, mostly in July and June. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (51 days) and high winds (21 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 75 | Aug 2025 | Sep 10, 2015 · $1.1 million damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 51 | Jan 2024 | Oct 25, 1997 · $3.5 million damage |
| High winds | 21 | Mar 2026 | Apr 27, 2002 · $15,000 damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 11 | Feb 2025 | — |
| Blizzards | 9 | Mar 2025 | — |
| Flash flooding | 9 | May 2025 | Jun 22, 2003 · $4.5 million damage |
| Ice storms & sleet | 4 | Jan 2017 | Dec 30, 2006 · $300,000 damage |
| Flooding | 3 | Jun 2011 | Jun 2, 2011 · $3.1 million 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 Jewell forecast zone and Jewell County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Mankato get?
A normal year brings about 25 inches of snow to Mankato, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Mankato weather station in town. The snowiest month is usually February (7.7 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.4 | 2.0 | 5.4 | 5.0 | 7.7 | 3.5 | 1.0 | 0.0 |
Normal snowfall in inches. TALON Pro compares this season's snow at your location with these normals as winter goes on.
Which radars cover Mankato?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KUEX (Hastings, NE), about 39 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 Mankato | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KUEX Hastings, NE | 39 mi north-northwest | 2,500 ft | Excellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground |
| KTWX Topeka, KS | 119 mi east-southeast | 12,500 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KOAX Omaha, NE | 143 mi northeast | 16,900 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 Mankato
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 126 tornadoes within 25 miles of Mankato, 31 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in May and June. The strongest was an F4 on March 13, 1990, which passed about 25 miles northwest of town. The most recent was a tornado of unknown strength on October 12, 2023, which touched down about 21 miles south of town.
Hail: 551 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 80 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 5.25-inch hail on May 27, 2013.
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 Mankato'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.
Mankato radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Mankato, KS?
KUEX (Hastings, NE), about 39 miles north-northwest. KTWX (Topeka, KS) is 119 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Mankato?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Mankato the lowest scan from KUEX is about 2,500 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Mankato 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 Mankato, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
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- Smith Center, KS radar 31 mi
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- Osborne, KS radar 35 mi
- Lincoln Center, KS radar 52 mi
- Minneapolis, KS radar 53 mi
- Phillipsburg, KS radar 59 mi
- Washington, KS radar 62 mi
- Stockton, KS radar 62 mi