Ham Lake, MN Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Ham Lake, Anoka County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Ham Lake?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged heavy snow or a winter storm on 85 days in the Anoka forecast zone and Anoka County — the most common reported hazard around Ham Lake, mostly in March and December. Next come damaging thunderstorm winds (85 days) and extreme cold & wind chill (18 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 85 | Mar 2026 | — |
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 85 | Jun 2026 | Sep 21, 2005 · $85 million damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 18 | Jan 2026 | — |
| Flash flooding | 16 | Jun 2025 | Sep 21, 2016 · $1.0 million damage |
| Excessive heat | 14 | Aug 2023 | Aug 1, 2001 · 1 death |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 6 | Aug 2018 | Jul 5, 2016 · $25,000 damage |
| High winds | 5 | Oct 2010 | — |
| Flooding | 2 | Apr 2001 | Apr 1, 2001 · 3 deaths · $200 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 Anoka forecast zone and Anoka County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Ham Lake get?
A normal year brings about 44 inches of snow to Ham Lake, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Andover 1N weather station 4.8 miles away. The snowiest month is usually December (12.4 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.7 | 4.3 | 12.4 | 5.1 | 9.6 | 6.3 | 5.7 | 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 Ham Lake?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KMPX (Minneapolis, MN), about 33 miles south-southwest. 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 Ham Lake | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KMPX Minneapolis, MN | 33 mi south-southwest | 2,100 ft | Excellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground |
| KDLH Duluth, MN | 119 mi north-northeast | 12,600 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KARX La Crosse, WI | 140 mi southeast | 16,200 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 Ham Lake
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 92 tornadoes within 25 miles of Ham Lake, 17 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in July and May. The strongest was an F4 on May 6, 1965, which passed about 8 miles southeast of town and caused 6 deaths. The most recent was an EF1 on August 29, 2024, which passed about 6 miles west-northwest of town.
Hail: 717 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 81 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.25-inch hail on June 20, 2007.
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 Ham Lake'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.
Ham Lake radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Ham Lake, MN?
KMPX (Minneapolis, MN), about 33 miles south-southwest. KDLH (Duluth, MN) is 119 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Ham Lake?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Ham Lake the lowest scan from KMPX is about 2,100 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Ham Lake 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 Ham Lake, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Columbus, MN radar 4 mi
- Blaine, MN radar 6 mi
- Andover, MN radar 7 mi
- East Bethel, MN radar 7 mi
- Coon Rapids, MN radar 8 mi
- Circle Pines, MN radar 8 mi
- Lino Lakes, MN radar 8 mi
- Lexington, MN radar 8 mi
- Centerville, MN radar 9 mi
- Oak Grove, MN radar 9 mi