Houston, MN Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Houston, Houston County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Houston?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged heavy snow or a winter storm on 78 days in the Houston forecast zone and Houston County — the most common reported hazard around Houston, mostly in December and February. Next come damaging thunderstorm winds (56 days) and flooding (21 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 78 | Mar 2026 | — |
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 56 | Jul 2025 | Apr 10, 2011 · $125,000 damage |
| Flooding | 21 | Jun 2024 | Jun 8, 2008 · $12 million damage |
| Flash flooding | 19 | Jul 2019 | Aug 18, 2007 · 1 death · $3.3 million damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 17 | Jan 2026 | — |
| Excessive heat | 13 | Jun 2026 | Jul 17, 2011 · $12,000 damage |
| High winds | 6 | Dec 2021 | Nov 10, 1998 · $150,000 damage |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 6 | Sep 2021 | Aug 4, 2014 · $1.5 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 Houston forecast zone and Houston County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Houston get?
A normal year brings about 45 inches of snow to Houston, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Caledonia weather station 9.4 miles away. The snowiest month is usually February (10.6 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.3 | 2.8 | 10.1 | 10.4 | 10.6 | 7.4 | 3.2 | 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 Houston?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KARX (La Crosse, WI), about 20 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 Houston | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KARX La Crosse, WI | 20 mi east-northeast | 1,100 ft | Excellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground |
| KMPX Minneapolis, MN | 124 mi northwest | 13,400 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KDVN Quad Cities, IA | 157 mi south-southeast | 19,500 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 Houston
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 60 tornadoes within 25 miles of Houston, 10 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 northwest of town and caused 2 deaths. The most recent was an EF1 on June 25, 2025, which passed about 7 miles southwest of town.
Hail: 329 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 47 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 3.50-inch hail on July 6, 2017.
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 Houston'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.
Houston radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Houston, MN?
KARX (La Crosse, WI), about 20 miles east-northeast. KMPX (Minneapolis, MN) is 124 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Houston?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Houston the lowest scan from KARX is about 1,100 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Houston 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 Houston, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Caledonia, MN radar 9 mi
- Rushford, MN radar 10 mi
- Spring Grove, MN radar 14 mi
- La Crescent, MN radar 14 mi
- Winona, MN radar 21 mi
- Lewiston, MN radar 21 mi
- Goodview, MN radar 23 mi
- Harmony, MN radar 26 mi
- Preston, MN radar 26 mi
- St. Charles, MN radar 28 mi