Franklin, MN Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Franklin, Renville County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Franklin?
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 Franklin, 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.
How much snow does Franklin get?
A normal year brings about 44 inches of snow to Franklin, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Redwood Falls weather station 10.7 miles away. The snowiest month is usually December (9.4 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.5 | 4.4 | 9.4 | 7.1 | 9.3 | 8.9 | 3.9 | 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 Franklin?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KMPX (Minneapolis, MN), about 68 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 Franklin | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KMPX Minneapolis, MN | 68 mi east-northeast | 5,500 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KFSD Sioux Falls, SD | 112 mi southwest | 11,500 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KABR Aberdeen, SD | 184 mi west-northwest | 25,400 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 Franklin
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 66 tornadoes within 25 miles of Franklin, 14 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in June and August. The strongest was an F3 on June 16, 1992, which passed about 13 miles west of town. The most recent was a tornado of unknown strength on August 26, 2024, which touched down about 18 miles southeast of town.
Hail: 213 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 40 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.50-inch hail on May 28, 1991.
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 Franklin'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.
Franklin radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Franklin, MN?
KMPX (Minneapolis, MN), about 68 miles east-northeast. KFSD (Sioux Falls, SD) is 112 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Franklin?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Franklin the lowest scan from KMPX is about 5,500 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Franklin 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 Franklin, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Fairfax, MN radar 8 mi
- Redwood Falls, MN radar 11 mi
- Sleepy Eye, MN radar 18 mi
- Olivia, MN radar 18 mi
- Springfield, MN radar 21 mi
- Renville, MN radar 24 mi
- New Ulm, MN radar 25 mi
- Winthrop, MN radar 26 mi
- Gaylord, MN radar 33 mi
- Hutchinson, MN radar 35 mi