High Forest, MN Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for High Forest, Olmsted County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits High Forest?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged heavy snow or a winter storm on 88 days in the Olmsted forecast zone and Olmsted County — the most common reported hazard around High Forest, mostly in February and January. Next come damaging thunderstorm winds (86 days) and extreme cold & wind chill (40 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 88 | Mar 2026 | Apr 12, 2020 · 1 death · $10,000 damage |
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 86 | Jul 2025 | Dec 15, 2021 · 1 death · $10,000 damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 40 | Jan 2026 | Jan 29, 2019 · 1 death · $40,000 damage |
| Flooding | 30 | Jun 2024 | Sep 23, 2010 · $3.5 million damage |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 19 | Jun 2020 | Jul 21, 2005 · $1.6 million damage |
| High winds | 18 | Mar 2026 | Dec 15, 2021 · $175,000 damage |
| Blizzards | 17 | Dec 2025 | Mar 9, 2002 · 1 death · $50,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 16 | Jun 2024 | Aug 18, 2007 · $35 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 Olmsted forecast zone and Olmsted County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does High Forest get?
A normal year brings about 53 inches of snow to High Forest, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Rochester Intl Ap weather station 4.9 miles away. The snowiest month is usually December (12.4 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.9 | 4.5 | 12.4 | 12.2 | 10.7 | 8.6 | 3.3 | 0.5 |
Normal snowfall in inches. TALON Pro compares this season's snow at your location with these normals as winter goes on.
Which radars cover High Forest?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KARX (La Crosse, WI), about 68 miles east. 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 High Forest | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KARX La Crosse, WI | 68 mi east | 5,400 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KMPX Minneapolis, MN | 86 mi northwest | 7,600 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KDMX Des Moines, IA | 158 mi south-southwest | 19,700 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 High Forest
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 98 tornadoes within 25 miles of High Forest, 20 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in June and May. The strongest was an F4 on May 10, 1953, which passed about 22 miles southeast of town and caused 2 deaths. The most recent was an EF0 on August 5, 2024, which touched down about 17 miles southwest of town.
Hail: 388 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 36 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 3.00-inch hail on July 18, 2012.
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 High Forest'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.
High Forest radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to High Forest, MN?
KARX (La Crosse, WI), about 68 miles east. KMPX (Minneapolis, MN) is 86 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in High Forest?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over High Forest the lowest scan from KARX is about 5,400 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for High Forest 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 High Forest, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Stewartville, MN radar 3 mi
- Grand Meadow, MN radar 10 mi
- Rochester, MN radar 12 mi
- Spring Valley, MN radar 13 mi
- Byron, MN radar 14 mi
- Hayfield, MN radar 15 mi
- Kasson, MN radar 16 mi
- Mantorville, MN radar 18 mi
- Chatfield, MN radar 18 mi
- Eyota, MN radar 19 mi