Lafayette, MN Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Lafayette, Nicollet County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Lafayette?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged heavy snow or a winter storm on 79 days in the Nicollet forecast zone and Nicollet County — the most common reported hazard around Lafayette, mostly in March and December. Next come damaging thunderstorm winds (49 days) and blizzards (30 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 79 | Nov 2025 | — |
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 49 | May 2026 | Jul 20, 1998 · $12 million damage |
| Blizzards | 30 | Mar 2026 | — |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 30 | Jan 2026 | — |
| High winds | 15 | Mar 2026 | — |
| Flooding | 12 | Mar 2019 | Mar 21, 2011 · 1 death |
| Excessive heat | 12 | Aug 2023 | — |
| Flash flooding | 11 | Jul 2020 | Jun 9, 2004 · $85,000 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 Nicollet forecast zone and Nicollet County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Lafayette get?
A normal year brings about 38 inches of snow to Lafayette, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the New Ulm 2 Se weather station 11.2 miles away. The snowiest month is usually December (9.0 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.5 | 6.5 | 9.0 | 7.8 | 6.9 | 6.0 | 1.5 | 0.1 |
Normal snowfall in inches. TALON Pro compares this season's snow at your location with these normals as winter goes on.
Which radars cover Lafayette?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KMPX (Minneapolis, MN), about 49 miles 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 Lafayette | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KMPX Minneapolis, MN | 49 mi northeast | 3,500 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KFSD Sioux Falls, SD | 130 mi west-southwest | 14,500 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KARX La Crosse, WI | 165 mi east-southeast | 21,100 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 Lafayette
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 101 tornadoes within 25 miles of Lafayette, 9 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in June and July. The strongest was an F4 on March 29, 1998, which passed about 14 miles south-southeast of town and caused 1 death. The most recent was an EF0 on September 4, 2025, which passed about 4 miles east-southeast of town.
Hail: 252 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 33 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.50-inch hail on March 29, 1998.
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 Lafayette'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.
Lafayette radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Lafayette, MN?
KMPX (Minneapolis, MN), about 49 miles northeast. KFSD (Sioux Falls, SD) is 130 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Lafayette?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Lafayette the lowest scan from KMPX is about 3,500 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Lafayette 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 Lafayette, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Winthrop, MN radar 7 mi
- New Ulm, MN radar 10 mi
- Gaylord, MN radar 12 mi
- Nicollet, MN radar 16 mi
- Fairfax, MN radar 17 mi
- Arlington, MN radar 19 mi
- Sleepy Eye, MN radar 19 mi
- St. Peter, MN radar 23 mi
- Le Sueur, MN radar 24 mi
- Lake Crystal, MN radar 25 mi