Frontenac, MN Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Frontenac, Goodhue County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Frontenac?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged heavy snow or a winter storm on 93 days in the Goodhue forecast zone and Goodhue County — the most common reported hazard around Frontenac, mostly in March and January. Next come damaging thunderstorm winds (77 days) and extreme cold & wind chill (19 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 93 | Dec 2025 | Dec 9, 2012 · 1 death |
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 77 | Jul 2025 | Jun 10, 2016 · 1 death |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 19 | Jan 2026 | — |
| Flash flooding | 16 | Jul 2019 | Jun 26, 1998 · 2 deaths · $1.5 million damage |
| High winds | 11 | Dec 2021 | — |
| Blizzards | 10 | Mar 2026 | — |
| Excessive heat | 10 | Aug 2023 | — |
| Flooding | 9 | Sep 2016 | Jun 7, 2005 · $545,000 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 Goodhue forecast zone and Goodhue County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Frontenac get?
A normal year brings about 34 inches of snow to Frontenac, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Lake City weather station 5.9 miles away. The snowiest month is usually February (11.9 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.3 | 1.3 | 5.2 | 6.4 | 11.9 | 6.3 | 1.8 | 0.3 |
Normal snowfall in inches. TALON Pro compares this season's snow at your location with these normals as winter goes on.
Which radars cover Frontenac?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KMPX (Minneapolis, MN), about 64 miles west-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 Frontenac | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KMPX Minneapolis, MN | 64 mi west-northwest | 5,000 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KARX La Crosse, WI | 74 mi southeast | 6,200 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KDLH Duluth, MN | 161 mi north | 20,500 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 Frontenac
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 67 tornadoes within 25 miles of Frontenac, 12 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in July and June. The strongest was an F3 on May 24, 1958, which passed about 17 miles northeast of town. The most recent was an EF1 on June 25, 2025, which touched down about 12 miles south of town.
Hail: 242 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 28 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.00-inch hail on July 3, 1973.
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 Frontenac'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.
Frontenac radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Frontenac, MN?
KMPX (Minneapolis, MN), about 64 miles west-northwest. KARX (La Crosse, WI) is 74 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Frontenac?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Frontenac the lowest scan from KMPX is about 5,000 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Frontenac 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 Frontenac, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Lake City, MN radar 5 mi
- Red Wing, MN radar 14 mi
- Goodhue, MN radar 15 mi
- Wabasha, MN radar 18 mi
- Zumbrota, MN radar 21 mi
- Plainview, MN radar 25 mi
- Pine Island, MN radar 25 mi
- Wanamingo, MN radar 26 mi
- Oronoco, MN radar 26 mi
- Elgin, MN radar 26 mi