Faribault, MN Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Faribault, Rice County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Faribault?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged heavy snow or a winter storm on 86 days in the Rice forecast zone and Rice County — the most common reported hazard around Faribault, mostly in December and March. Next come damaging thunderstorm winds (61 days) and extreme cold & wind chill (19 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 86 | Dec 2025 | — |
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 61 | Jul 2025 | Apr 12, 2022 · $10 million damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 19 | Jan 2026 | — |
| Blizzards | 15 | Mar 2026 | Dec 10, 2010 · 1 death |
| Flash flooding | 15 | Jun 2025 | Jul 13, 2013 · $2.0 million damage |
| High winds | 12 | Dec 2021 | — |
| Excessive heat | 11 | Aug 2022 | — |
| Flooding | 7 | Jun 2020 | Sep 23, 2010 · $1.8 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 Rice forecast zone and Rice County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Faribault get?
A normal year brings about 43 inches of snow to Faribault, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Faribault weather station in town. The snowiest month is usually February (10.6 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.1 | 4.9 | 10.1 | 9.4 | 10.6 | 6.4 | 1.6 | 0.2 |
Normal snowfall in inches. TALON Pro compares this season's snow at your location with these normals as winter goes on.
Which radars cover Faribault?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KMPX (Minneapolis, MN), about 40 miles north-northwest. 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 Faribault | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KMPX Minneapolis, MN | 40 mi north-northwest | 2,700 ft | Excellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground |
| KARX La Crosse, WI | 109 mi east-southeast | 10,900 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KFSD Sioux Falls, SD | 179 mi west-southwest | 24,200 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 Faribault
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 126 tornadoes within 25 miles of Faribault, 20 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in June and September. The strongest was an F4 on April 30, 1967, which passed about 16 miles southwest of town and caused 6 deaths. The most recent was a tornado of unknown strength on August 29, 2025, which touched down about 20 miles east of town.
Hail: 346 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 52 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.25-inch hail on August 24, 2006.
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 Faribault'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.
Faribault radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Faribault, MN?
KMPX (Minneapolis, MN), about 40 miles north-northwest. KARX (La Crosse, WI) is 109 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Faribault?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Faribault the lowest scan from KMPX is about 2,700 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Faribault 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 Faribault, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
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