Center City, MN Live Doppler Radar

Live radar for Center City, Chisago County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.

Open live radar for Center CityWhat TALON shows

What weather hits Center City?

Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged heavy snow or a winter storm on 75 days in the Chisago forecast zone and Chisago County — the most common reported hazard around Center City, mostly in March and December. Next come damaging thunderstorm winds (54 days) and extreme cold & wind chill (20 days).

HazardDays reportedMost recentWorst on record
Heavy snow & winter storms75Mar 2026—
Damaging thunderstorm winds54Jun 2025Jun 24, 2003 · $500,000 damage
Extreme cold & wind chill20Jan 2026—
Excessive heat11Jul 2023—
High winds4Jun 2014—
Flooding3Oct 2005—
Flash flooding3Oct 2005—
Blizzards2Dec 2020—

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 Chisago forecast zone and Chisago County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.

How much snow does Center City get?

A normal year brings about 52 inches of snow to Center City, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Forest Lake 5Ne weather station 6 miles away. The snowiest month is usually December (11.8 in).

OctNovDecJanFebMarAprMay
0.67.411.89.69.39.23.70.0

Normal snowfall in inches. TALON Pro compares this season's snow at your location with these normals as winter goes on.

Which radars cover Center City?

The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KMPX (Minneapolis, MN), about 53 miles southwest. 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.

RadarDistanceLowest beam over Center CityView
KMPX
Minneapolis, MN		53 mi southwest3,800 ftGood — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly
KDLH
Duluth, MN		104 mi north-northeast10,200 ftLimited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms
KARX
La Crosse, WI		135 mi southeast15,300 ftLimited — 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 Center City

Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 89 tornadoes within 25 miles of Center City, 14 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in July and May. The strongest was an F4 on May 6, 1965, which passed about 20 miles southwest of town and caused 6 deaths. The most recent was an EF1 on August 29, 2024, which passed about 23 miles west of town.

Hail: 285 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 35 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.25-inch hail on June 20, 2007.

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 Center City'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.

Center City radar FAQ

Where is the nearest weather radar to Center City, MN?

KMPX (Minneapolis, MN), about 53 miles southwest. KDLH (Duluth, MN) is 104 miles away and also covers the area.

Does radar show snow in Center City?

Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Center City the lowest scan from KMPX is about 3,800 ft up.

Is TALON's radar for Center City 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 Center City, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.

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