Bemidji, MN Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Bemidji, Beltrami County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Bemidji?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 103 days in the South Beltrami forecast zone and Beltrami County — the most common reported hazard around Bemidji, mostly in July and June. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (86 days) and extreme cold & wind chill (53 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 103 | Jun 2025 | Jul 14, 2009 · 2 deaths · $5,000 damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 86 | Apr 2026 | — |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 53 | Jan 2026 | Mar 8, 2003 · $21,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 9 | Jul 2025 | Jun 4, 1999 · $50,000 damage |
| High winds | 8 | Oct 2024 | Sep 1, 1997 · $3,000 damage |
| Blizzards | 6 | Feb 2022 | — |
| Flooding | 6 | Jun 2014 | Jun 19, 2014 · $70,000 damage |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 3 | Jun 2016 | Jun 17, 2016 · $20,000 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 South Beltrami forecast zone and Beltrami County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Bemidji get?
A normal year brings about 49 inches of snow to Bemidji, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Cass Lake weather station 14.4 miles away. The snowiest month is usually December (11.5 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.4 | 5.8 | 11.5 | 9.1 | 9.3 | 6.2 | 5.6 | 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 Bemidji?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KMVX (Grand Forks, ND), about 114 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 Bemidji | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KMVX Grand Forks, ND | 114 mi west | 11,800 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KDLH Duluth, MN | 133 mi east-southeast | 15,000 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KMPX Minneapolis, MN | 193 mi south-southeast | 27,500 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 Bemidji
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 35 tornadoes within 25 miles of Bemidji, 2 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in June and August. The strongest was an F2 on July 5, 1978, which passed about 25 miles northwest of town and caused 4 deaths. The most recent was a tornado of unknown strength on July 19, 2023, which touched down about 17 miles northeast of town.
Hail: 214 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 12 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 3.00-inch hail on June 27, 1997.
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 Bemidji'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.
Bemidji radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Bemidji, MN?
KMVX (Grand Forks, ND), about 114 miles west. KDLH (Duluth, MN) is 133 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Bemidji?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Bemidji the lowest scan from KMVX is about 11,800 ft up, so light snow from shallow clouds can be under-shown — check NWS winter alerts too.
Is TALON's radar for Bemidji 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 Bemidji, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Bagley, MN radar 24 mi
- Park Rapids, MN radar 40 mi
- Fosston, MN radar 41 mi
- Menahga, MN radar 52 mi
- Mahnomen, MN radar 52 mi
- Cohasset, MN radar 59 mi