Kerkhoven, MN Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Kerkhoven, Swift County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Kerkhoven?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged heavy snow or a winter storm on 75 days in the Swift forecast zone and Swift County — the most common reported hazard around Kerkhoven, mostly in December and January. Next come damaging thunderstorm winds (55 days) and blizzards (43 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 75 | Mar 2026 | — |
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 55 | Jun 2026 | Jul 1, 1997 · $500,000 damage |
| Blizzards | 43 | Dec 2025 | — |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 40 | Jan 2026 | — |
| High winds | 15 | Mar 2026 | — |
| Excessive heat | 11 | Aug 2023 | Jul 18, 2011 · 1 death |
| Flooding | 9 | Mar 2010 | — |
| Flash flooding | 3 | Jul 2006 | Apr 7, 2001 · $500,000 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 Swift forecast zone and Swift County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Kerkhoven get?
A normal year brings about 46 inches of snow to Kerkhoven, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Willmar Wwtp weather station 14.9 miles away. The snowiest month is usually December (10.1 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.5 | 7.8 | 10.1 | 9.2 | 7.8 | 6.9 | 3.8 | 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 Kerkhoven?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KMPX (Minneapolis, MN), about 89 miles east-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 Kerkhoven | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KMPX Minneapolis, MN | 89 mi east-southeast | 8,000 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KFSD Sioux Falls, SD | 131 mi south-southwest | 14,600 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KABR Aberdeen, SD | 151 mi west | 18,500 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 Kerkhoven
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 121 tornadoes within 25 miles of Kerkhoven, 7 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in June and May. The strongest was an EF3 on July 11, 2008, which passed about 12 miles southeast of town. The most recent was an EF1 on June 28, 2025, which passed about 22 miles west of town.
Hail: 192 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 34 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 3.25-inch hail on July 13, 2023.
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 Kerkhoven'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.
Kerkhoven radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Kerkhoven, MN?
KMPX (Minneapolis, MN), about 89 miles east-southeast. KFSD (Sioux Falls, SD) is 131 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Kerkhoven?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Kerkhoven the lowest scan from KMPX is about 8,000 ft up, so light snow from shallow clouds can be under-shown — check NWS winter alerts too.
Is TALON's radar for Kerkhoven 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 Kerkhoven, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
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