Brainerd, MN Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Brainerd, Crow Wing County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Brainerd?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 101 days in the Crow Wing forecast zone and Crow Wing County — the most common reported hazard around Brainerd, mostly in July and June. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (80 days) and extreme cold & wind chill (30 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 101 | Jun 2026 | Sep 25, 1998 · $1.0 million damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 80 | Dec 2025 | — |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 30 | Jan 2026 | Mar 7, 2008 · 1 death |
| Flooding | 11 | Jul 2020 | Jun 19, 2012 · $634,000 damage |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 8 | Aug 2019 | Jul 13, 1997 · $1.5 million damage |
| Ice storms & sleet | 6 | Dec 2016 | — |
| Flash flooding | 6 | Jun 2022 | Jul 7, 2002 · $250,000 damage |
| Excessive heat | 2 | 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 Crow Wing forecast zone and Crow Wing County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Brainerd get?
A normal year brings about 48 inches of snow to Brainerd, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Brainerd weather station 1 mile away. The snowiest month is usually January (10.0 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.7 | 5.7 | 10.0 | 10.0 | 8.3 | 9.2 | 4.3 | 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 Brainerd?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KDLH (Duluth, MN), about 100 miles east-northeast. 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 Brainerd | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KDLH Duluth, MN | 100 mi east-northeast | 9,600 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KMPX Minneapolis, MN | 109 mi south-southeast | 10,900 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KMVX Grand Forks, ND | 168 mi west-northwest | 21,900 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 Brainerd
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 47 tornadoes within 25 miles of Brainerd, 14 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in July and June. The strongest was an F4 on June 11, 1966, which passed about 20 miles north of town. The most recent was an EF1 on June 16, 2025, which passed about 8 miles northwest of town.
Hail: 264 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 32 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.00-inch hail on June 19, 2016.
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 Brainerd'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.
Brainerd radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Brainerd, MN?
KDLH (Duluth, MN), about 100 miles east-northeast. KMPX (Minneapolis, MN) is 109 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Brainerd?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Brainerd 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 Brainerd 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 Brainerd, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
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