Johnson, MN Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Johnson, Big Stone County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Johnson?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged heavy snow or a winter storm on 64 days in the Big Stone forecast zone and Big Stone County — the most common reported hazard around Johnson, mostly in March and February. Next come blizzards (55 days) and extreme cold & wind chill (46 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 64 | Apr 2025 | Jan 3, 1997 · 1 death |
| Blizzards | 55 | Dec 2025 | Dec 23, 1996 · 1 death |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 46 | Jan 2026 | — |
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 45 | Jun 2026 | — |
| High winds | 24 | Mar 2026 | — |
| Flooding | 17 | Jul 2025 | Jun 2, 2024 · $332,000 damage |
| Excessive heat | 7 | Jun 2025 | — |
| Ice storms & sleet | 5 | Dec 2016 | — |
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 Big Stone forecast zone and Big Stone County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
Which radars cover Johnson?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KABR (Aberdeen, SD), about 103 miles west. 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 Johnson | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KABR Aberdeen, SD | 103 mi west | 10,000 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KFSD Sioux Falls, SD | 139 mi south | 16,000 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KMPX Minneapolis, MN | 142 mi east-southeast | 16,600 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 Johnson
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 61 tornadoes within 25 miles of Johnson, 5 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in October and June. The strongest was an F3 on May 17, 1996, which passed about 2 miles south of town. The most recent was a tornado of unknown strength on August 21, 2025, which touched down about 22 miles north of town.
Hail: 231 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 41 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 6.00-inch hail on July 31, 2024.
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 Johnson'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.
Johnson radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Johnson, MN?
KABR (Aberdeen, SD), about 103 miles west. KFSD (Sioux Falls, SD) is 139 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Johnson?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Johnson the lowest scan from KABR is about 10,000 ft up, so light snow from shallow clouds can be under-shown — check NWS winter alerts too.
Is TALON's radar for Johnson 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 Johnson, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
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- Benson, MN radar 38 mi
- Madison, MN radar 39 mi
- Glenwood, MN radar 44 mi
- Dawson, MN radar 46 mi