Bluffton, MN Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Bluffton, Otter Tail County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Bluffton?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 125 days in the East Otter Tail forecast zone and Otter Tail County — the most common reported hazard around Bluffton, mostly in July and June. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (83 days) and extreme cold & wind chill (51 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 125 | Jun 2026 | Jun 18, 2001 · $5.0 million damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 83 | Apr 2026 | — |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 51 | Jan 2026 | Mar 8, 2003 · $21,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 29 | Aug 2020 | Jul 4, 2010 · $300,000 damage |
| Blizzards | 21 | Mar 2025 | — |
| High winds | 17 | Jun 2026 | Apr 28, 2004 · $15,000 damage |
| Flooding | 9 | Aug 2020 | May 27, 2012 · $105,000 damage |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 7 | Jul 2002 | Jun 18, 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 East Otter Tail forecast zone and Otter Tail County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Bluffton get?
A normal year brings about 51 inches of snow to Bluffton, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Wadena 3 S weather station 6.6 miles away. The snowiest month is usually January (12.2 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.1 | 7.5 | 8.7 | 12.2 | 7.9 | 8.9 | 4.5 | 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 Bluffton?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KMVX (Grand Forks, ND), about 123 miles northwest. 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 Bluffton | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KMVX Grand Forks, ND | 123 mi northwest | 13,200 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KMPX Minneapolis, MN | 138 mi southeast | 15,900 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KDLH Duluth, MN | 146 mi east | 17,300 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 Bluffton
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 73 tornadoes within 25 miles of Bluffton, 19 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in June and July. The strongest was an EF4 on June 17, 2010, which passed about 3 miles west-northwest of town and caused 1 death. The most recent was a tornado of unknown strength on June 16, 2025, which touched down about 22 miles southwest of town.
Hail: 278 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 32 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.50-inch hail on July 8, 2000.
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 Bluffton'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.
Bluffton radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Bluffton, MN?
KMVX (Grand Forks, ND), about 123 miles northwest. KMPX (Minneapolis, MN) is 138 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Bluffton?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Bluffton the lowest scan from KMVX is about 13,200 ft up, so light snow from shallow clouds can be under-shown — check NWS winter alerts too.
Is TALON's radar for Bluffton 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 Bluffton, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Wadena, MN radar 5 mi
- New York Mills, MN radar 7 mi
- Perham, MN radar 19 mi
- Menahga, MN radar 21 mi
- Staples, MN radar 21 mi
- Parkers Prairie, MN radar 22 mi
- Frazee, MN radar 29 mi
- Park Rapids, MN radar 32 mi
- Detroit Lakes, MN radar 37 mi
- Long Prairie, MN radar 39 mi