Elgin, MN Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Elgin, Wabasha County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Elgin?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged heavy snow or a winter storm on 86 days in the Wabasha forecast zone and Wabasha County — the most common reported hazard around Elgin, mostly in December and January. Next come damaging thunderstorm winds (60 days) and flooding (52 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 86 | Mar 2026 | — |
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 60 | Apr 2026 | May 19, 1996 · $12 million damage |
| Flooding | 52 | Jul 2024 | Sep 24, 2010 · $5.2 million damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 21 | Jan 2026 | — |
| Flash flooding | 15 | Jul 2024 | Aug 18, 2007 · $1.2 million damage |
| Excessive heat | 13 | Jun 2026 | Jul 17, 2011 · $6,000 damage |
| High winds | 9 | Mar 2026 | Dec 15, 2021 · $25,000 damage |
| Blizzards | 8 | Feb 2019 | Feb 20, 2014 · 1 death · $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 Wabasha forecast zone and Wabasha County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Elgin get?
A normal year brings about 48 inches of snow to Elgin, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Theilman 1Ssw weather station 10.9 miles away. The snowiest month is usually February (12.1 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.6 | 2.3 | 11.7 | 9.9 | 12.1 | 9.0 | 2.7 | 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 Elgin?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KARX (La Crosse, WI), about 57 miles east-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 Elgin | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KARX La Crosse, WI | 57 mi east-southeast | 4,200 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KMPX Minneapolis, MN | 82 mi northwest | 7,100 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KDMX Des Moines, IA | 182 mi south-southwest | 24,900 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 Elgin
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 81 tornadoes within 25 miles of Elgin, 15 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in June and May. The strongest was an F4 on May 10, 1953, which passed about 21 miles southeast of town and caused 2 deaths. The most recent was an EF1 on June 25, 2025, which touched down about 14 miles north-northwest of town.
Hail: 405 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 44 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.00-inch hail on July 3, 1973.
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 Elgin'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.
Elgin radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Elgin, MN?
KARX (La Crosse, WI), about 57 miles east-southeast. KMPX (Minneapolis, MN) is 82 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Elgin?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Elgin the lowest scan from KARX is about 4,200 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Elgin 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 Elgin, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Plainview, MN radar 5 mi
- Eyota, MN radar 10 mi
- Rochester, MN radar 14 mi
- Oronoco, MN radar 14 mi
- St. Charles, MN radar 15 mi
- Pine Island, MN radar 19 mi
- Wabasha, MN radar 20 mi
- Chatfield, MN radar 20 mi
- Byron, MN radar 20 mi
- Lewiston, MN radar 22 mi