Fairfax, MN Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Fairfax, Renville County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Fairfax?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged heavy snow or a winter storm on 81 days in the Renville forecast zone and Renville County — the most common reported hazard around Fairfax, mostly in March and December. Next come damaging thunderstorm winds (67 days) and extreme cold & wind chill (38 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 81 | Mar 2026 | — |
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 67 | Aug 2025 | Jun 24, 2003 · $10 million damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 38 | Jan 2026 | — |
| Blizzards | 37 | Feb 2026 | — |
| High winds | 14 | Mar 2026 | — |
| Flooding | 13 | Apr 2023 | Jul 3, 2018 · 1 death · $375,000 damage |
| Excessive heat | 13 | Aug 2023 | — |
| Flash flooding | 11 | Jun 2025 | Aug 17, 2017 · $325,000 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 Renville forecast zone and Renville County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
Which radars cover Fairfax?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KMPX (Minneapolis, MN), about 61 miles east-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 Fairfax | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KMPX Minneapolis, MN | 61 mi east-northeast | 4,700 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KFSD Sioux Falls, SD | 119 mi west-southwest | 12,600 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KARX La Crosse, WI | 182 mi east-southeast | 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 Fairfax
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 80 tornadoes within 25 miles of Fairfax, 12 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in June and August. The strongest was an F4 on March 29, 1998, which passed about 24 miles south-southeast of town and caused 1 death. The most recent was an EF0 on September 4, 2025, which passed about 21 miles east-southeast of town.
Hail: 238 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 39 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.25-inch hail on June 25, 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 Fairfax'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.
Fairfax radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Fairfax, MN?
KMPX (Minneapolis, MN), about 61 miles east-northeast. KFSD (Sioux Falls, SD) is 119 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Fairfax?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Fairfax the lowest scan from KMPX is about 4,700 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Fairfax 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 Fairfax, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Sleepy Eye, MN radar 16 mi
- Winthrop, MN radar 18 mi
- Redwood Falls, MN radar 19 mi
- New Ulm, MN radar 20 mi
- Olivia, MN radar 22 mi
- Springfield, MN radar 24 mi
- Gaylord, MN radar 25 mi
- Renville, MN radar 30 mi
- Hutchinson, MN radar 30 mi
- Nicollet, MN radar 32 mi