Climax, MN Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Climax, Polk County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Climax?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 117 days in the West Polk forecast zone and Polk County — the most common reported hazard around Climax, mostly in July and June. Next come blizzards (87 days) and heavy snow & winter storms (79 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 117 | Jun 2026 | Aug 8, 2001 · $500,000 damage |
| Blizzards | 87 | Jan 2026 | Apr 5, 1997 · $5.0 million damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 79 | Apr 2026 | — |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 73 | Jan 2026 | Jan 29, 2008 · 1 death |
| High winds | 31 | May 2026 | — |
| Flash flooding | 29 | Aug 2024 | Aug 17, 2005 · $200,000 damage |
| Flooding | 23 | Aug 2024 | Apr 17, 1997 · $600 million damage |
| Ice storms & sleet | 5 | Feb 2009 | Apr 4, 1997 · $2.0 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 West Polk forecast zone and Polk County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
Which radars cover Climax?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KMVX (Grand Forks, ND), about 25 miles west-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 Climax | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KMVX Grand Forks, ND | 25 mi west-southwest | 1,400 ft | Excellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground |
| KABR Aberdeen, SD | 167 mi south-southwest | 21,700 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KBIS Bismarck, ND | 194 mi west-southwest | 27,800 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 Climax
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 99 tornadoes within 25 miles of Climax, 18 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in June and July. The strongest was an EF4 on June 17, 2010, which passed about 23 miles west of town. The most recent was an EF1 on August 8, 2025, which passed about 24 miles west of town.
Hail: 257 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 17 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 3.50-inch hail on July 6, 1957.
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 Climax'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.
Climax radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Climax, MN?
KMVX (Grand Forks, ND), about 25 miles west-southwest. KABR (Aberdeen, SD) is 167 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Climax?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Climax the lowest scan from KMVX is about 1,400 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Climax 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 Climax, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Crookston, MN radar 15 mi
- East Grand Forks, MN radar 24 mi
- Ada, MN radar 26 mi
- Red Lake Falls, MN radar 31 mi
- Warren, MN radar 40 mi
- Mahnomen, MN radar 44 mi
- Thief River Falls, MN radar 45 mi
- Fosston, MN radar 49 mi
- Dilworth, MN radar 51 mi
- Moorhead, MN radar 52 mi