La Crescent, MN Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for La Crescent, Houston County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits La Crescent?
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 La Crescent, 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 La Crescent get?
A normal year brings about 38 inches of snow to La Crescent, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the La Crescent Dam 7 weather station 2.5 miles away. The snowiest month is usually January (11.2 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.1 | 1.2 | 9.7 | 11.2 | 8.4 | 5.7 | 1.6 | 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 La Crescent?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KARX (La Crosse, WI), about 6 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 La Crescent | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KARX La Crosse, WI | 6 mi east | 300 ft | Excellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground |
| KMPX Minneapolis, MN | 132 mi west-northwest | 14,800 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KMKX Milwaukee/Sullivan, WI | 151 mi east-southeast | 18,300 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 La Crescent
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 55 tornadoes within 25 miles of La Crescent, 8 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in June and May. The strongest was an F3 on May 5, 1965, which passed about 3 miles northwest of town. The most recent was an EF1 on June 25, 2025, which passed about 20 miles west-southwest of town.
Hail: 330 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 53 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.00-inch hail on July 28, 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 La Crescent'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.
La Crescent radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to La Crescent, MN?
KARX (La Crosse, WI), about 6 miles east. KMPX (Minneapolis, MN) is 132 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in La Crescent?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over La Crescent the lowest scan from KARX is about 300 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for La Crescent 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 La Crescent, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
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- Winona, MN radar 24 mi
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- Goodview, MN radar 26 mi
- Lewiston, MN radar 30 mi
- St. Charles, MN radar 39 mi
- Harmony, MN radar 40 mi
- Preston, MN radar 40 mi
- Chatfield, MN radar 44 mi