Bena, MN Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Bena, Cass County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Bena?
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 Bena, 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.
How much snow does Bena get?
A normal year brings about 48 inches of snow to Bena, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Leech Lake weather station 6.6 miles away. The snowiest month is usually December (11.1 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.1 | 6.8 | 11.1 | 9.3 | 7.2 | 6.8 | 5.9 | 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 Bena?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KDLH (Duluth, MN), about 100 miles east-southeast. 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 Bena | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KDLH Duluth, MN | 100 mi east-southeast | 9,600 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KMVX Grand Forks, ND | 146 mi west | 17,500 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KMPX Minneapolis, MN | 175 mi south | 23,400 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 Bena
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 16 tornadoes within 25 miles of Bena, 1 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in August and July. The strongest was an F2 on July 5, 1991, which touched down about 17 miles south-southeast of town. The most recent was an EF1 on May 30, 2022, which touched down about 19 miles east of town.
Hail: 101 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 10 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 3.00-inch hail on July 26, 2021.
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 Bena'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.
Bena radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Bena, MN?
KDLH (Duluth, MN), about 100 miles east-southeast. KMVX (Grand Forks, ND) is 146 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Bena?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Bena the lowest scan from KDLH is about 9,600 ft up, so light snow from shallow clouds can be under-shown — check NWS winter alerts too.
Is TALON's radar for Bena 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 Bena, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
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- Coleraine, MN radar 36 mi
- Crosslake, MN radar 46 mi
- Park Rapids, MN radar 50 mi
- Breezy Point, MN radar 51 mi
- Pequot Lakes, MN radar 52 mi
- Bagley, MN radar 57 mi
- Nisswa, MN radar 58 mi