Alpha, MN Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Alpha, Jackson County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Alpha?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged heavy snow or a winter storm on 55 days in the Jackson forecast zone and Jackson County — the most common reported hazard around Alpha, mostly in January and March. Next come damaging thunderstorm winds (47 days) and extreme cold & wind chill (39 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 55 | Nov 2025 | Apr 9, 2013 · $15 million damage |
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 47 | Jun 2026 | Aug 3, 2004 · $100,000 damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 39 | Dec 2025 | — |
| Blizzards | 37 | Mar 2026 | Mar 24, 1996 · 1 death · $10,000 damage |
| High winds | 34 | Mar 2026 | Jan 22, 2005 · $100,000 damage |
| Flooding | 32 | Jul 2024 | Jun 1, 2019 · $13 million damage |
| Excessive heat | 21 | Jun 2026 | — |
| Flash flooding | 14 | Aug 2018 | — |
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 Jackson forecast zone and Jackson County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Alpha get?
A normal year brings about 49 inches of snow to Alpha, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Lakefield 2Ne weather station 14.7 miles away. The snowiest month is usually December (10.2 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.1 | 5.2 | 10.2 | 9.2 | 9.3 | 7.8 | 5.4 | 0.3 |
Normal snowfall in inches. TALON Pro compares this season's snow at your location with these normals as winter goes on.
Which radars cover Alpha?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KFSD (Sioux Falls, SD), about 93 miles west. 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 Alpha | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KFSD Sioux Falls, SD | 93 mi west | 8,600 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KMPX Minneapolis, MN | 106 mi northeast | 10,500 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KDMX Des Moines, IA | 144 mi south-southeast | 17,000 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 Alpha
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 89 tornadoes within 25 miles of Alpha, 15 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in June and May. The strongest was an F3 on May 31, 1971, which passed about 18 miles west of town. The most recent was a tornado of unknown strength on August 29, 2024, which touched down about 15 miles southwest of town.
Hail: 315 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 25 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.50-inch hail on June 29, 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 Alpha'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.
Alpha radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Alpha, MN?
KFSD (Sioux Falls, SD), about 93 miles west. KMPX (Minneapolis, MN) is 106 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Alpha?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Alpha the lowest scan from KFSD is about 8,600 ft up, so light snow from shallow clouds can be under-shown — check NWS winter alerts too.
Is TALON's radar for Alpha 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 Alpha, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Jackson, MN radar 6 mi
- Sherburn, MN radar 7 mi
- Lakefield, MN radar 15 mi
- Fairmont, MN radar 20 mi
- Windom, MN radar 20 mi
- Mountain Lake, MN radar 21 mi
- Truman, MN radar 25 mi
- St. James, MN radar 27 mi
- Winnebago, MN radar 36 mi
- Madelia, MN radar 36 mi