Ellsworth, MN Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Ellsworth, Nobles County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Ellsworth?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged heavy snow or a winter storm on 60 days in the Nobles forecast zone and Nobles County — the most common reported hazard around Ellsworth, mostly in January and December. Next come damaging thunderstorm winds (56 days) and extreme cold & wind chill (39 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 60 | Nov 2025 | Apr 9, 2013 · $25 million damage |
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 56 | May 2026 | May 11, 2022 · 1 death |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 39 | Dec 2025 | — |
| High winds | 38 | Mar 2026 | Jan 21, 2005 · $150,000 damage |
| Blizzards | 33 | Mar 2026 | Jan 4, 1997 · $30,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 22 | Jun 2024 | Jun 18, 2020 · $5,000 damage |
| Excessive heat | 18 | Jun 2026 | Jul 15, 2011 · $10,000 damage |
| Flooding | 10 | Jun 2024 | Jun 1, 2019 · $18 million 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 Nobles forecast zone and Nobles County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Ellsworth get?
A normal year brings about 35 inches of snow to Ellsworth, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Rock Rapids weather station 9.8 miles away. The snowiest month is usually December (8.4 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.4 | 3.6 | 8.4 | 6.0 | 7.3 | 5.6 | 3.5 | 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 Ellsworth?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KFSD (Sioux Falls, SD), about 36 miles west. 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 Ellsworth | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KFSD Sioux Falls, SD | 36 mi west | 2,300 ft | Excellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground |
| KMPX Minneapolis, MN | 152 mi northeast | 18,600 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KOAX Omaha, NE | 153 mi south | 18,800 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 Ellsworth
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 121 tornadoes within 25 miles of Ellsworth, 22 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in June and May. The strongest was an F5 on June 16, 1992, which passed about 19 miles north of town and caused 1 death. The most recent was an EF1 on July 28, 2025, which touched down about 17 miles southwest of town.
Hail: 351 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 41 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 6.00-inch hail on July 28, 1986.
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 Ellsworth'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.
Ellsworth radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Ellsworth, MN?
KFSD (Sioux Falls, SD), about 36 miles west. KMPX (Minneapolis, MN) is 152 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Ellsworth?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Ellsworth the lowest scan from KFSD is about 2,300 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Ellsworth 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 Ellsworth, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
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- Luverne, MN radar 13 mi
- Worthington, MN radar 22 mi
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- Fulda, MN radar 32 mi
- Slayton, MN radar 35 mi
- Pipestone, MN radar 36 mi
- Lakefield, MN radar 44 mi
- Windom, MN radar 51 mi
- Jackson, MN radar 52 mi