Apple Valley, MN Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Apple Valley, Dakota County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Apple Valley?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged heavy snow or a winter storm on 93 days in the Dakota forecast zone and Dakota County — the most common reported hazard around Apple Valley, mostly in March and February. Next come damaging thunderstorm winds (92 days) and extreme cold & wind chill (19 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 93 | Feb 2026 | — |
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 92 | Jul 2025 | May 30, 1998 · $140 million damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 19 | Jan 2026 | Jan 5, 2014 · 1 death |
| Flash flooding | 18 | Jul 2017 | Jul 7, 2000 · 1 death · $20 million damage |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 15 | Aug 2020 | Jul 24, 2006 · $1.0 million damage |
| Excessive heat | 14 | Aug 2023 | — |
| High winds | 11 | Dec 2021 | Oct 26, 2010 · $10,000 damage |
| Flooding | 10 | Mar 2019 | — |
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 Dakota forecast zone and Dakota County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Apple Valley get?
A normal year brings about 41 inches of snow to Apple Valley, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Farmington 3 Nw weather station 5.4 miles away. The snowiest month is usually January (10.5 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.3 | 7.0 | 7.0 | 10.5 | 6.4 | 8.0 | 1.8 | 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 Apple Valley?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KMPX (Minneapolis, MN), about 19 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 Apple Valley | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KMPX Minneapolis, MN | 19 mi west-northwest | 1,100 ft | Excellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground |
| KARX La Crosse, WI | 118 mi east-southeast | 12,400 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KDLH Duluth, MN | 152 mi north-northeast | 18,600 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 Apple Valley
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 106 tornadoes within 25 miles of Apple Valley, 18 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in July and May. The strongest was an F4 on May 6, 1965, which passed about 18 miles north-northwest of town and caused 6 deaths. The most recent was an EF1 on June 28, 2025, which passed about 22 miles west-northwest of town.
Hail: 905 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 107 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.25-inch hail on August 24, 2006.
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 Apple Valley'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.
Apple Valley radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Apple Valley, MN?
KMPX (Minneapolis, MN), about 19 miles west-northwest. KARX (La Crosse, WI) is 118 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Apple Valley?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Apple Valley the lowest scan from KMPX is about 1,100 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Apple Valley 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 Apple Valley, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Burnsville, MN radar 4 mi
- Eagan, MN radar 5 mi
- Lakeville, MN radar 5 mi
- Farmington, MN radar 6 mi
- Rosemount, MN radar 6 mi
- Empire, MN radar 7 mi
- Bloomington, MN radar 8 mi
- Savage, MN radar 8 mi
- Inver Grove Heights, MN radar 9 mi
- Credit River, MN radar 9 mi