Cosmos, MN Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Cosmos, Meeker County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Cosmos?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged heavy snow or a winter storm on 80 days in the Meeker forecast zone and Meeker County — the most common reported hazard around Cosmos, mostly in February and March. Next come damaging thunderstorm winds (57 days) and extreme cold & wind chill (27 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 80 | Mar 2026 | — |
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 57 | Jul 2025 | Jun 11, 2001 · $13 million damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 27 | Jan 2026 | — |
| Excessive heat | 12 | Aug 2023 | — |
| Blizzards | 11 | Mar 2023 | — |
| High winds | 9 | Mar 2026 | Oct 26, 2010 · $10,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 6 | Jul 2011 | Apr 22, 2001 · $300,000 damage |
| Flooding | 4 | 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 Meeker forecast zone and Meeker County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
Which radars cover Cosmos?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KMPX (Minneapolis, MN), about 56 miles east. 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 Cosmos | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KMPX Minneapolis, MN | 56 mi east | 4,100 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KFSD Sioux Falls, SD | 137 mi southwest | 15,700 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KDLH Duluth, MN | 178 mi northeast | 24,000 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 Cosmos
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 98 tornadoes within 25 miles of Cosmos, 9 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in June and July. The strongest was an F4 on June 19, 1951, which passed about 16 miles east-southeast of town and caused 1 death. The most recent was a tornado of unknown strength on May 6, 2023, which touched down about 23 miles west of town.
Hail: 299 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 49 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.25-inch hail on July 1, 2011.
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 Cosmos'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.
Cosmos radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Cosmos, MN?
KMPX (Minneapolis, MN), about 56 miles east. KFSD (Sioux Falls, SD) is 137 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Cosmos?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Cosmos the lowest scan from KMPX is about 4,100 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Cosmos 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 Cosmos, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
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- Litchfield, MN radar 15 mi
- Hutchinson, MN radar 16 mi
- Olivia, MN radar 18 mi
- Dassel, MN radar 21 mi
- Willmar, MN radar 22 mi
- Spicer, MN radar 24 mi
- Cokato, MN radar 27 mi
- Renville, MN radar 27 mi
- New London, MN radar 28 mi