Dakota, MN Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Dakota, Winona County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Dakota?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged heavy snow or a winter storm on 82 days in the Winona forecast zone and Winona County — the most common reported hazard around Dakota, mostly in January and February. Next come damaging thunderstorm winds (72 days) and flooding (58 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 82 | Mar 2026 | Mar 14, 2026 · $20,000 damage |
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 72 | Jun 2026 | May 3, 2015 · 1 death · $10,000 damage |
| Flooding | 58 | Jul 2024 | May 1, 2001 · $2.3 million damage |
| Flash flooding | 25 | Aug 2024 | Aug 18, 2007 · 5 deaths · $425,000 damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 23 | Jan 2026 | — |
| Excessive heat | 13 | Jun 2026 | Jul 17, 2011 · $10,000 damage |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 9 | Sep 2019 | May 30, 1998 · $40,000 damage |
| High winds | 8 | Dec 2021 | Nov 10, 1998 · $75,000 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 Winona forecast zone and Winona County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Dakota get?
A normal year brings about 38 inches of snow to Dakota, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the La Crescent Dam 7 weather station 4.1 miles away. The snowiest month is usually January (11.2 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.1 | 1.2 | 9.7 | 11.2 | 8.4 | 5.7 | 1.6 | 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 Dakota?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KARX (La Crosse, WI), about 10 miles 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 Dakota | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KARX La Crosse, WI | 10 mi southeast | 500 ft | Excellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground |
| KMPX Minneapolis, MN | 127 mi west-northwest | 13,900 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KMKX Milwaukee/Sullivan, WI | 155 mi east-southeast | 19,200 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 Dakota
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 63 tornadoes within 25 miles of Dakota, 12 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in June and July. The strongest was an F4 on May 10, 1953, which passed about 24 miles northwest of town and caused 2 deaths. The most recent was an EF1 on June 25, 2025, which passed about 22 miles southwest of town.
Hail: 358 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 57 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.00-inch hail on July 28, 2023.
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 Dakota'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.
Dakota radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Dakota, MN?
KARX (La Crosse, WI), about 10 miles southeast. KMPX (Minneapolis, MN) is 127 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Dakota?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Dakota the lowest scan from KARX is about 500 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Dakota 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 Dakota, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- La Crescent, MN radar 6 mi
- Winona, MN radar 18 mi
- Caledonia, MN radar 20 mi
- Goodview, MN radar 21 mi
- Rushford, MN radar 21 mi
- Lewiston, MN radar 26 mi
- Spring Grove, MN radar 28 mi
- St. Charles, MN radar 35 mi
- Preston, MN radar 40 mi
- Harmony, MN radar 41 mi