Arlington, MN Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Arlington, Sibley County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Arlington?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged heavy snow or a winter storm on 86 days in the Sibley forecast zone and Sibley County — the most common reported hazard around Arlington, mostly in March and December. Next come damaging thunderstorm winds (53 days) and extreme cold & wind chill (26 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 86 | Feb 2026 | — |
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 53 | Jul 2025 | May 24, 2016 · 1 death |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 26 | Jan 2026 | — |
| Blizzards | 21 | Mar 2026 | — |
| High winds | 15 | Mar 2026 | — |
| Flooding | 14 | Jun 2024 | Jun 18, 2014 · $3.9 million damage |
| Excessive heat | 13 | Aug 2023 | — |
| Flash flooding | 9 | Jun 2024 | — |
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 Sibley forecast zone and Sibley County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
Which radars cover Arlington?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KMPX (Minneapolis, MN), about 30 miles east-northeast. 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 Arlington | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KMPX Minneapolis, MN | 30 mi east-northeast | 1,800 ft | Excellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground |
| KFSD Sioux Falls, SD | 149 mi west-southwest | 18,000 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KARX La Crosse, WI | 153 mi east-southeast | 18,700 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 Arlington
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 114 tornadoes within 25 miles of Arlington, 14 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in June and May. The strongest was an F4 on May 6, 1965, which passed about 20 miles northeast of town and caused 3 deaths. The most recent was an EF0 on September 4, 2025, which passed about 15 miles southwest of town.
Hail: 320 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 36 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.00-inch hail on July 9, 2017.
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 Arlington'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.
Arlington radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Arlington, MN?
KMPX (Minneapolis, MN), about 30 miles east-northeast. KFSD (Sioux Falls, SD) is 149 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Arlington?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Arlington the lowest scan from KMPX is about 1,800 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Arlington 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 Arlington, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Gaylord, MN radar 8 mi
- Glencoe, MN radar 12 mi
- Le Sueur, MN radar 13 mi
- Norwood Young America, MN radar 14 mi
- Winthrop, MN radar 15 mi
- Belle Plaine, MN radar 15 mi
- Cologne, MN radar 18 mi
- Lester Prairie, MN radar 19 mi
- St. Peter, MN radar 20 mi
- Mayer, MN radar 21 mi