Clear Lake, MN Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Clear Lake, Sherburne County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Clear Lake?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged heavy snow or a winter storm on 80 days in the Sherburne forecast zone and Sherburne County — the most common reported hazard around Clear Lake, mostly in March and February. Next come damaging thunderstorm winds (67 days) and extreme cold & wind chill (26 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 80 | Mar 2026 | — |
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 67 | Jul 2025 | May 15, 1998 · $3.0 million damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 26 | Jan 2026 | — |
| Excessive heat | 12 | Aug 2023 | — |
| High winds | 8 | Dec 2021 | — |
| Flash flooding | 4 | Sep 2005 | Apr 22, 2001 · $2.0 million damage |
| Blizzards | 2 | Dec 2020 | — |
| Flooding | 2 | Apr 2001 | — |
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 Sherburne forecast zone and Sherburne County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Clear Lake get?
A normal year brings about 48 inches of snow to Clear Lake, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the St Cloud Rgnl Ap weather station 7 miles away. The snowiest month is usually December (9.3 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.0 | 6.9 | 9.3 | 8.8 | 8.9 | 8.2 | 4.7 | 0.1 |
Normal snowfall in inches. TALON Pro compares this season's snow at your location with these normals as winter goes on.
Which radars cover Clear Lake?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KMPX (Minneapolis, MN), about 47 miles south-southeast. 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 Clear Lake | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KMPX Minneapolis, MN | 47 mi south-southeast | 3,200 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KDLH Duluth, MN | 129 mi northeast | 14,200 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KARX La Crosse, WI | 178 mi southeast | 24,100 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 Clear Lake
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 75 tornadoes within 25 miles of Clear Lake, 17 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in June and July. The strongest was an F3 on September 3, 1980, which passed about 11 miles northwest of town and caused 1 death. The most recent was an EF0 on September 29, 2023, which touched down about 25 miles south-southeast of town.
Hail: 453 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 68 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.00-inch hail on July 26, 2019.
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 Clear Lake'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.
Clear Lake radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Clear Lake, MN?
KMPX (Minneapolis, MN), about 47 miles south-southeast. KDLH (Duluth, MN) is 129 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Clear Lake?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Clear Lake the lowest scan from KMPX is about 3,200 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Clear Lake 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 Clear Lake, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Clearwater, MN radar 3 mi
- Becker, MN radar 7 mi
- St. Augusta, MN radar 9 mi
- St. Cloud, MN radar 10 mi
- Sauk Rapids, MN radar 12 mi
- Waite Park, MN radar 13 mi
- Annandale, MN radar 14 mi
- Big Lake, MN radar 15 mi
- Maple Lake, MN radar 15 mi
- Monticello, MN radar 15 mi