Big Lake, MN Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Big Lake, Sherburne County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Big Lake?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged heavy snow or a winter storm on 80 days in the Sherburne forecast zone and Sherburne County — the most common reported hazard around Big Lake, mostly in March and February. Next come damaging thunderstorm winds (67 days) and extreme cold & wind chill (26 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 80 | Mar 2026 | — |
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 67 | Jul 2025 | May 15, 1998 · $3.0 million damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 26 | Jan 2026 | — |
| Excessive heat | 12 | Aug 2023 | — |
| High winds | 8 | Dec 2021 | — |
| Flash flooding | 4 | Sep 2005 | Apr 22, 2001 · $2.0 million damage |
| Blizzards | 2 | Dec 2020 | — |
| Flooding | 2 | Apr 2001 | — |
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 Sherburne forecast zone and Sherburne County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Big Lake get?
A normal year brings about 36 inches of snow to Big Lake, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Elk Rvr weather station 8.1 miles away. The snowiest month is usually January (8.2 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.2 | 5.3 | 6.0 | 8.2 | 7.3 | 6.3 | 2.4 | 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 Big Lake?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KMPX (Minneapolis, MN), about 35 miles south-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 Big Lake | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KMPX Minneapolis, MN | 35 mi south-southeast | 2,200 ft | Excellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground |
| KDLH Duluth, MN | 127 mi northeast | 13,900 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KARX La Crosse, WI | 164 mi southeast | 20,900 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 Big Lake
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 71 tornadoes within 25 miles of Big Lake, 17 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in July and June. The strongest was an F4 on June 19, 1951, which passed about 16 miles south-southeast of town and caused 1 death. The most recent was an EF1 on August 29, 2024, which passed about 21 miles east of town.
Hail: 493 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 76 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.00-inch hail on August 5, 2019.
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 Big Lake'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.
Big Lake radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Big Lake, MN?
KMPX (Minneapolis, MN), about 35 miles south-southeast. KDLH (Duluth, MN) is 127 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Big Lake?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Big Lake the lowest scan from KMPX is about 2,200 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Big Lake 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 Big Lake, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Monticello, MN radar 4 mi
- Becker, MN radar 8 mi
- Otsego, MN radar 8 mi
- Albertville, MN radar 8 mi
- Elk River, MN radar 9 mi
- Zimmerman, MN radar 10 mi
- St. Michael, MN radar 10 mi
- Buffalo, MN radar 13 mi
- Hanover, MN radar 13 mi
- Rogers, MN radar 14 mi