Elmore, MN Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Elmore, Faribault County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Elmore?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged heavy snow or a winter storm on 80 days in the Faribault forecast zone and Faribault County — the most common reported hazard around Elmore, mostly in January and December. Next come damaging thunderstorm winds (52 days) and blizzards (27 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 80 | Nov 2025 | — |
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 52 | May 2026 | May 15, 1998 · $10 million damage |
| Blizzards | 27 | Mar 2026 | Dec 23, 2020 · $120,000 damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 27 | Jan 2026 | — |
| Flash flooding | 17 | Aug 2024 | — |
| High winds | 16 | Mar 2026 | — |
| Excessive heat | 11 | Aug 2023 | — |
| Flooding | 9 | Jun 2014 | Sep 14, 2004 · $4.7 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 Faribault forecast zone and Faribault County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Elmore get?
A normal year brings about 40 inches of snow to Elmore, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Swea City 5N weather station 11.5 miles away. The snowiest month is usually January (10.9 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.7 | 3.1 | 8.3 | 10.9 | 8.5 | 4.6 | 3.6 | 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 Elmore?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KMPX (Minneapolis, MN), about 96 miles north-northeast. 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 Elmore | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KMPX Minneapolis, MN | 96 mi north-northeast | 9,100 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KDMX Des Moines, IA | 124 mi south | 13,400 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KFSD Sioux Falls, SD | 132 mi west | 14,900 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 Elmore
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 97 tornadoes within 25 miles of Elmore, 17 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in June and May. The strongest was an EF4 on June 17, 2010, which passed about 23 miles east-northeast of town and caused 1 death. The most recent was a tornado of unknown strength on August 17, 2025, which touched down about 23 miles southeast of town.
Hail: 249 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 38 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 3.00-inch hail on June 17, 2010.
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 Elmore'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.
Elmore radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Elmore, MN?
KMPX (Minneapolis, MN), about 96 miles north-northeast. KDMX (Des Moines, IA) is 124 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Elmore?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Elmore the lowest scan from KMPX is about 9,100 ft up, so light snow from shallow clouds can be under-shown — check NWS winter alerts too.
Is TALON's radar for Elmore 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 Elmore, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Blue Earth, MN radar 9 mi
- Winnebago, MN radar 18 mi
- Fairmont, MN radar 21 mi
- Wells, MN radar 24 mi
- Truman, MN radar 28 mi
- Mapleton, MN radar 30 mi
- Sherburn, MN radar 34 mi
- Albert Lea, MN radar 38 mi
- New Richland, MN radar 40 mi
- Madelia, MN radar 41 mi