Dawson, MN Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Dawson, Lac qui Parle County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Dawson?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged heavy snow or a winter storm on 83 days in the Lac Qui Parle forecast zone and Lac qui Parle County — the most common reported hazard around Dawson, mostly in March and December. Next come damaging thunderstorm winds (50 days) and blizzards (41 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 83 | Mar 2026 | — |
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 50 | Jun 2026 | Oct 8, 1997 · $1.0 million damage |
| Blizzards | 41 | Dec 2025 | — |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 35 | Jan 2026 | — |
| High winds | 16 | Mar 2026 | — |
| Flooding | 13 | Apr 2023 | Mar 17, 2010 · $515,000 damage |
| Excessive heat | 12 | Aug 2023 | — |
| Flash flooding | 3 | Jun 2025 | — |
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 Lac Qui Parle forecast zone and Lac qui Parle County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Dawson get?
A normal year brings about 51 inches of snow to Dawson, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Dawson weather station in town. The snowiest month is usually December (12.1 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.6 | 5.5 | 12.1 | 8.7 | 9.5 | 8.1 | 6.8 | 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 Dawson?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KFSD (Sioux Falls, SD), about 99 miles south-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 Dawson | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KFSD Sioux Falls, SD | 99 mi south-southwest | 9,400 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KABR Aberdeen, SD | 121 mi west-northwest | 12,800 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KMPX Minneapolis, MN | 122 mi east | 13,000 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 Dawson
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 63 tornadoes within 25 miles of Dawson, 6 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in June and May. The strongest was an F4 on July 25, 2000, which passed about 19 miles east of town and caused 1 death. The most recent was an EF1 on June 28, 2025, which touched down about 13 miles northwest of town.
Hail: 212 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 31 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 3.50-inch hail on May 3, 1959.
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 Dawson'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.
Dawson radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Dawson, MN?
KFSD (Sioux Falls, SD), about 99 miles south-southwest. KABR (Aberdeen, SD) is 121 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Dawson?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Dawson the lowest scan from KFSD is about 9,400 ft up, so light snow from shallow clouds can be under-shown — check NWS winter alerts too.
Is TALON's radar for Dawson 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 Dawson, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
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