Clearwater, MN Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Clearwater, Wright County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Clearwater?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 97 days in the Wright forecast zone and Wright County — the most common reported hazard around Clearwater, mostly in June and July. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (84 days) and extreme cold & wind chill (25 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 97 | Jun 2026 | Jul 1, 1997 · $20 million damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 84 | Mar 2026 | Apr 16, 2014 · 1 death |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 25 | Jan 2026 | — |
| Flash flooding | 13 | Jul 2016 | Jun 24, 2002 · $25 million damage |
| Excessive heat | 12 | Aug 2023 | — |
| High winds | 9 | Mar 2026 | — |
| Flooding | 8 | Jun 2025 | — |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 7 | Jul 2016 | Apr 24, 2016 · $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 Wright forecast zone and Wright County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Clearwater get?
A normal year brings about 48 inches of snow to Clearwater, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the St Cloud Rgnl Ap weather station 9.2 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 Clearwater?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KMPX (Minneapolis, MN), about 45 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 Clearwater | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KMPX Minneapolis, MN | 45 mi south-southeast | 3,100 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KDLH Duluth, MN | 132 mi northeast | 14,800 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 Clearwater
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 73 tornadoes within 25 miles of Clearwater, 15 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in June and July. The strongest was an F3 on September 3, 1980, which passed about 12 miles northwest of town and caused 1 death. The most recent was an EF0 on September 29, 2023, which touched down about 23 miles south-southeast of town.
Hail: 474 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 69 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.25-inch hail on July 17, 2010.
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 Clearwater'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.
Clearwater radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Clearwater, MN?
KMPX (Minneapolis, MN), about 45 miles south-southeast. KDLH (Duluth, MN) is 132 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Clearwater?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Clearwater the lowest scan from KMPX is about 3,100 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Clearwater 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 Clearwater, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- St. Augusta, MN radar 8 mi
- Becker, MN radar 8 mi
- St. Cloud, MN radar 10 mi
- Annandale, MN radar 11 mi
- Waite Park, MN radar 12 mi
- Maple Lake, MN radar 12 mi
- Sauk Rapids, MN radar 14 mi
- Rockville, MN radar 14 mi
- Monticello, MN radar 15 mi
- Big Lake, MN radar 15 mi