Backus, MN Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Backus, Cass County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Backus?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 99 days in the North Cass forecast zone and Cass County — the most common reported hazard around Backus, mostly in July and June. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (73 days) and extreme cold & wind chill (49 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 99 | Jun 2026 | Aug 14, 2000 · 1 death |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 73 | Apr 2026 | — |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 49 | Jan 2026 | Feb 24, 2018 · 1 death |
| Ice storms & sleet | 7 | Jan 2013 | — |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 4 | Apr 2025 | Jul 28, 2015 · $155,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 3 | Jun 2024 | — |
| High winds | 1 | Sep 1997 | — |
| Excessive heat | 1 | Jul 2016 | — |
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 North Cass forecast zone and Cass County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
Which radars cover Backus?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KDLH (Duluth, MN), about 109 miles east. 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 Backus | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KDLH Duluth, MN | 109 mi east | 11,000 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KMVX Grand Forks, ND | 141 mi west-northwest | 16,400 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KMPX Minneapolis, MN | 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 Backus
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 28 tornadoes within 25 miles of Backus, 6 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in June and July. The strongest was an F4 on August 6, 1969, which passed about 14 miles east-southeast of town and caused 12 deaths. The most recent was an EF2 on June 12, 2024, which passed about 15 miles southeast of town.
Hail: 194 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 26 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.00-inch hail on June 19, 2016.
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 Backus'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.
Backus radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Backus, MN?
KDLH (Duluth, MN), about 109 miles east. KMVX (Grand Forks, ND) is 141 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Backus?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Backus the lowest scan from KDLH is about 11,000 ft up, so light snow from shallow clouds can be under-shown — check NWS winter alerts too.
Is TALON's radar for Backus 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 Backus, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
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