Dexter, MN Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Dexter, Mower County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Dexter?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged heavy snow or a winter storm on 78 days in the Mower forecast zone and Mower County — the most common reported hazard around Dexter, mostly in December and February. Next come damaging thunderstorm winds (69 days) and extreme cold & wind chill (37 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 78 | Mar 2026 | Mar 11, 2001 · $50,000 damage |
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 69 | May 2026 | Jun 27, 1998 · $3.5 million damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 37 | Jan 2026 | Jan 29, 2019 · $15,000 damage |
| Flooding | 36 | Aug 2025 | Sep 15, 2004 · 1 death · $525,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 26 | Jun 2024 | Jun 1, 2000 · $1.7 million damage |
| Blizzards | 18 | Dec 2025 | Jan 18, 2020 · $25,000 damage |
| High winds | 14 | Mar 2026 | Nov 10, 1998 · $50,000 damage |
| Excessive heat | 12 | Jun 2026 | Jul 17, 2011 · $35,000 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 Mower forecast zone and Mower County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Dexter get?
A normal year brings about 51 inches of snow to Dexter, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Grand Meadow weather station 6.9 miles away. The snowiest month is usually December (13.8 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.6 | 2.5 | 13.8 | 11.0 | 10.8 | 8.5 | 2.9 | 0.5 |
Normal snowfall in inches. TALON Pro compares this season's snow at your location with these normals as winter goes on.
Which radars cover Dexter?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KARX (La Crosse, WI), about 76 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 Dexter | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KARX La Crosse, WI | 76 mi east | 6,400 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KMPX Minneapolis, MN | 89 mi north-northwest | 8,100 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KDMX Des Moines, IA | 147 mi south-southwest | 17,600 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 Dexter
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 115 tornadoes within 25 miles of Dexter, 28 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in June and May. The strongest was an F4 on May 10, 1953, which passed about 23 miles southeast of town and caused 2 deaths. The most recent was an EF0 on August 5, 2024, which touched down about 6 miles west-southwest of town.
Hail: 317 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 30 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 3.25-inch hail on June 17, 2009.
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 Dexter'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.
Dexter radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Dexter, MN?
KARX (La Crosse, WI), about 76 miles east. KMPX (Minneapolis, MN) is 89 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Dexter?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Dexter the lowest scan from KARX is about 6,400 ft up, so light snow from shallow clouds can be under-shown — check NWS winter alerts too.
Is TALON's radar for Dexter 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 Dexter, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Grand Meadow, MN radar 7 mi
- Hayfield, MN radar 14 mi
- Austin, MN radar 14 mi
- Stewartville, MN radar 14 mi
- Spring Valley, MN radar 16 mi
- Blooming Prairie, MN radar 20 mi
- Kasson, MN radar 22 mi
- Byron, MN radar 22 mi
- Dodge Center, MN radar 23 mi
- Rochester, MN radar 23 mi