Circle Pines, MN Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Circle Pines, Anoka County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Circle Pines?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged heavy snow or a winter storm on 85 days in the Anoka forecast zone and Anoka County — the most common reported hazard around Circle Pines, mostly in March and December. Next come damaging thunderstorm winds (85 days) and extreme cold & wind chill (18 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 85 | Mar 2026 | — |
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 85 | Jun 2026 | Sep 21, 2005 · $85 million damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 18 | Jan 2026 | — |
| Flash flooding | 16 | Jun 2025 | Sep 21, 2016 · $1.0 million damage |
| Excessive heat | 14 | Aug 2023 | Aug 1, 2001 · 1 death |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 6 | Aug 2018 | Jul 5, 2016 · $25,000 damage |
| High winds | 5 | Oct 2010 | — |
| Flooding | 2 | Apr 2001 | Apr 1, 2001 · 3 deaths · $200 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 Anoka forecast zone and Anoka County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Circle Pines get?
A normal year brings about 44 inches of snow to Circle Pines, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Andover 1N weather station 10.4 miles away. The snowiest month is usually December (12.4 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.7 | 4.3 | 12.4 | 5.1 | 9.6 | 6.3 | 5.7 | 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 Circle Pines?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KMPX (Minneapolis, MN), about 29 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.
| Radar | Distance | Lowest beam over Circle Pines | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KMPX Minneapolis, MN | 29 mi southwest | 1,700 ft | Excellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground |
| KDLH Duluth, MN | 125 mi north-northeast | 13,600 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KARX La Crosse, WI | 133 mi southeast | 14,900 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 Circle Pines
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 95 tornadoes within 25 miles of Circle Pines, 22 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in July and May. The strongest was an F4 on May 6, 1965, which crossed near town and caused 6 deaths. The most recent was an EF1 on August 29, 2024, which passed about 13 miles northwest of town.
Hail: 864 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 100 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.00-inch hail on May 1, 2001.
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 Circle Pines'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.
Circle Pines radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Circle Pines, MN?
KMPX (Minneapolis, MN), about 29 miles southwest. KDLH (Duluth, MN) is 125 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Circle Pines?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Circle Pines the lowest scan from KMPX is about 1,700 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Circle Pines 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 Circle Pines, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.