Detroit Lakes, MN Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Detroit Lakes, Becker County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Detroit Lakes?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged heavy snow or a winter storm on 87 days in the West Becker forecast zone and Becker County — the most common reported hazard around Detroit Lakes, mostly in December and March. Next come damaging thunderstorm winds (84 days) and extreme cold & wind chill (54 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 87 | Apr 2026 | — |
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 84 | Jun 2026 | Jul 11, 2017 · $800,000 damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 54 | Jan 2026 | Mar 8, 2003 · $21,000 damage |
| Blizzards | 44 | Jan 2026 | — |
| High winds | 14 | Oct 2015 | Jun 11, 2008 · $300,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 13 | May 2022 | Jul 4, 2010 · $300,000 damage |
| Flooding | 11 | May 2012 | Jun 19, 2000 · $4.0 million damage |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 6 | Sep 2008 | Jun 28, 1997 · $30,000 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 West Becker forecast zone and Becker County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Detroit Lakes get?
A normal year brings about 48 inches of snow to Detroit Lakes, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Detroit Lakes 1 Nne weather station 2.1 miles away. The snowiest month is usually December (11.0 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.1 | 4.8 | 11.0 | 8.3 | 9.4 | 7.7 | 5.3 | 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 Detroit Lakes?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KMVX (Grand Forks, ND), about 85 miles northwest. 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 Detroit Lakes | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KMVX Grand Forks, ND | 85 mi northwest | 7,600 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KABR Aberdeen, SD | 154 mi southwest | 19,000 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KDLH Duluth, MN | 172 mi east | 22,700 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 Detroit Lakes
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 72 tornadoes within 25 miles of Detroit Lakes, 10 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in June and July. The strongest was an F5 on June 20, 1957, which passed about 19 miles west-northwest of town and caused 10 deaths. The most recent was a tornado of unknown strength on June 16, 2025, which touched down about 21 miles south-southeast of town.
Hail: 255 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 34 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.50-inch hail on July 4, 1966.
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 Detroit Lakes'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.
Detroit Lakes radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Detroit Lakes, MN?
KMVX (Grand Forks, ND), about 85 miles northwest. KABR (Aberdeen, SD) is 154 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Detroit Lakes?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Detroit Lakes the lowest scan from KMVX is about 7,600 ft up, so light snow from shallow clouds can be under-shown — check NWS winter alerts too.
Is TALON's radar for Detroit Lakes 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 Detroit Lakes, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
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