Benson, MN Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Benson, Swift County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Benson?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged heavy snow or a winter storm on 75 days in the Swift forecast zone and Swift County — the most common reported hazard around Benson, mostly in December and January. Next come damaging thunderstorm winds (55 days) and blizzards (43 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 75 | Mar 2026 | — |
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 55 | Jun 2026 | Jul 1, 1997 · $500,000 damage |
| Blizzards | 43 | Dec 2025 | — |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 40 | Jan 2026 | — |
| High winds | 15 | Mar 2026 | — |
| Excessive heat | 11 | Aug 2023 | Jul 18, 2011 · 1 death |
| Flooding | 9 | Mar 2010 | — |
| Flash flooding | 3 | Jul 2006 | Apr 7, 2001 · $500,000 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 Swift forecast zone and Swift County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Benson get?
A normal year brings about 43 inches of snow to Benson, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Benson weather station in town. The snowiest month is usually February (8.5 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.3 | 5.7 | 8.4 | 8.3 | 8.5 | 7.1 | 4.2 | 0.1 |
Normal snowfall in inches. TALON Pro compares this season's snow at your location with these normals as winter goes on.
Which radars cover Benson?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KMPX (Minneapolis, MN), about 105 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 Benson | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KMPX Minneapolis, MN | 105 mi east-southeast | 10,300 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KFSD Sioux Falls, SD | 132 mi south-southwest | 14,700 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KABR Aberdeen, SD | 137 mi west | 15,600 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 Benson
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 93 tornadoes within 25 miles of Benson, 7 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in June and May. The strongest was an F3 on June 18, 1964, which passed about 23 miles north-northeast of town. The most recent was an EF1 on June 28, 2025, which passed about 10 miles southwest of town.
Hail: 177 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 28 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 3.00-inch hail on August 28, 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 Benson'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.
Benson radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Benson, MN?
KMPX (Minneapolis, MN), about 105 miles east-southeast. KFSD (Sioux Falls, SD) is 132 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Benson?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Benson the lowest scan from KMPX is about 10,300 ft up, so light snow from shallow clouds can be under-shown — check NWS winter alerts too.
Is TALON's radar for Benson 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 Benson, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Starbuck, MN radar 21 mi
- Appleton, MN radar 22 mi
- Morris, MN radar 24 mi
- Montevideo, MN radar 26 mi
- Glenwood, MN radar 26 mi
- Clara City, MN radar 27 mi
- Willmar, MN radar 30 mi
- New London, MN radar 32 mi
- Spicer, MN radar 33 mi
- Dawson, MN radar 34 mi