Independence, MN Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Independence, Hennepin County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Independence?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 125 days in the Hennepin forecast zone and Hennepin County — the most common reported hazard around Independence, mostly in June and July. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (99 days) and flash flooding (37 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 125 | Jun 2026 | Sep 21, 2005 · 1 death · $130 million damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 99 | Mar 2026 | Dec 10, 2010 · $18 million damage |
| Flash flooding | 37 | Jun 2025 | Jun 1, 2014 · $750,000 damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 19 | Jan 2026 | — |
| Excessive heat | 17 | Aug 2023 | Jul 3, 2012 · 3 deaths |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 17 | Aug 2016 | Jun 21, 2013 · $750,000 damage |
| High winds | 14 | Mar 2026 | Jun 11, 2018 · $25,000 damage |
| Flooding | 9 | Jun 2025 | Jun 18, 2014 · $4.0 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 Hennepin forecast zone and Hennepin County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Independence get?
A normal year brings about 45 inches of snow to Independence, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Rockford weather station 5 miles away. The snowiest month is usually February (9.9 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.2 | 6.2 | 9.7 | 7.9 | 9.9 | 6.8 | 4.4 | 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 Independence?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KMPX (Minneapolis, MN), about 14 miles south-southeast. 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 Independence | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KMPX Minneapolis, MN | 14 mi south-southeast | 700 ft | Excellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground |
| KDLH Duluth, MN | 145 mi north-northeast | 17,200 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KARX La Crosse, WI | 150 mi east-southeast | 18,100 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 Independence
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 96 tornadoes within 25 miles of Independence, 25 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in June and May. The strongest was an F4 on May 6, 1965, which passed about 17 miles east of town and caused 6 deaths. The most recent was an EF0 on June 28, 2025, which passed about 19 miles south of town.
Hail: 749 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 109 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.00-inch hail on August 5, 2019.
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 Independence'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.
Independence radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Independence, MN?
KMPX (Minneapolis, MN), about 14 miles south-southeast. KDLH (Duluth, MN) is 145 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Independence?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Independence the lowest scan from KMPX is about 700 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Independence 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 Independence, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Maple Plain, MN radar 3 mi
- Delano, MN radar 4 mi
- Rockford, MN radar 5 mi
- Greenfield, MN radar 5 mi
- Minnetrista, MN radar 6 mi
- Mound, MN radar 7 mi
- Medina, MN radar 7 mi
- Spring Park, MN radar 7 mi
- Watertown, MN radar 7 mi
- Orono, MN radar 8 mi