Lake Crystal, MN Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Lake Crystal, Blue Earth County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Lake Crystal?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged heavy snow or a winter storm on 77 days in the Blue Earth forecast zone and Blue Earth County — the most common reported hazard around Lake Crystal, mostly in January and March. Next come damaging thunderstorm winds (73 days) and extreme cold & wind chill (30 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 77 | Nov 2025 | — |
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 73 | Aug 2025 | Sep 17, 2021 · 1 death |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 30 | Jan 2026 | Jan 5, 2005 · 2 deaths |
| Blizzards | 28 | Mar 2026 | — |
| Flash flooding | 21 | Jul 2025 | Jul 18, 2025 · $835,000 damage |
| High winds | 16 | Mar 2026 | — |
| Flooding | 15 | Mar 2019 | Jun 18, 2014 · $2.3 million damage |
| Excessive heat | 12 | Aug 2023 | — |
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 Blue Earth forecast zone and Blue Earth County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Lake Crystal get?
A normal year brings about 39 inches of snow to Lake Crystal, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Mankato weather station 10.4 miles away. The snowiest month is usually December (8.6 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.1 | 5.9 | 8.6 | 8.2 | 6.9 | 7.4 | 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 Lake Crystal?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KMPX (Minneapolis, MN), about 61 miles north-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 Lake Crystal | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KMPX Minneapolis, MN | 61 mi north-northeast | 4,600 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 | 152 mi east | 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 Lake Crystal
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 107 tornadoes within 25 miles of Lake Crystal, 20 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in June and July. The strongest was an F4 on March 29, 1998, which passed about 12 miles north-northwest of town and caused 1 death. The most recent was an EF0 on September 4, 2025, which passed about 22 miles north of town.
Hail: 264 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 21 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 Lake Crystal'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.
Lake Crystal radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Lake Crystal, MN?
KMPX (Minneapolis, MN), about 61 miles north-northeast. KFSD (Sioux Falls, SD) is 130 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Lake Crystal?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Lake Crystal the lowest scan from KMPX is about 4,600 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Lake Crystal 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 Lake Crystal, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- North Mankato, MN radar 10 mi
- Madelia, MN radar 11 mi
- Nicollet, MN radar 12 mi
- Mankato, MN radar 13 mi
- Eagle Lake, MN radar 17 mi
- Mapleton, MN radar 18 mi
- New Ulm, MN radar 19 mi
- St. Peter, MN radar 20 mi
- Madison Lake, MN radar 21 mi
- St. James, MN radar 22 mi