Bigelow, MN Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Bigelow, Nobles County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Bigelow?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged heavy snow or a winter storm on 60 days in the Nobles forecast zone and Nobles County — the most common reported hazard around Bigelow, mostly in January and December. Next come damaging thunderstorm winds (56 days) and extreme cold & wind chill (39 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 60 | Nov 2025 | Apr 9, 2013 · $25 million damage |
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 56 | May 2026 | May 11, 2022 · 1 death |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 39 | Dec 2025 | — |
| High winds | 38 | Mar 2026 | Jan 21, 2005 · $150,000 damage |
| Blizzards | 33 | Mar 2026 | Jan 4, 1997 · $30,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 22 | Jun 2024 | Jun 18, 2020 · $5,000 damage |
| Excessive heat | 18 | Jun 2026 | Jul 15, 2011 · $10,000 damage |
| Flooding | 10 | Jun 2024 | Jun 1, 2019 · $18 million 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 Nobles forecast zone and Nobles County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Bigelow get?
A normal year brings about 42 inches of snow to Bigelow, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Sibley weather station 7.6 miles away. The snowiest month is usually December (9.1 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.1 | 5.1 | 9.1 | 8.1 | 7.4 | 7.0 | 3.7 | 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 Bigelow?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KFSD (Sioux Falls, SD), about 52 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 Bigelow | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KFSD Sioux Falls, SD | 52 mi west | 3,800 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KMPX Minneapolis, MN | 140 mi northeast | 16,300 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KOAX Omaha, NE | 155 mi south-southwest | 19,100 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 Bigelow
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 117 tornadoes within 25 miles of Bigelow, 22 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in June and May. The strongest was an EF4 on June 25, 2010, which passed about 8 miles south-southwest of town. The most recent was a tornado of unknown strength on April 28, 2025, which touched down about 14 miles north-northeast of town.
Hail: 324 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 30 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 6.00-inch hail on July 28, 1986.
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 Bigelow'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.
Bigelow radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Bigelow, MN?
KFSD (Sioux Falls, SD), about 52 miles west. KMPX (Minneapolis, MN) is 140 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Bigelow?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Bigelow the lowest scan from KFSD is about 3,800 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Bigelow 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 Bigelow, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Worthington, MN radar 10 mi
- Adrian, MN radar 15 mi
- Fulda, MN radar 25 mi
- Luverne, MN radar 28 mi
- Lakefield, MN radar 29 mi
- Slayton, MN radar 34 mi
- Edgerton, MN radar 34 mi
- Jackson, MN radar 36 mi
- Windom, MN radar 38 mi
- Pipestone, MN radar 46 mi