Lancaster, MN Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Lancaster, Kittson County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Lancaster?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged blizzard conditions on 79 days in the Kittson forecast zone and Kittson County — the most common reported hazard around Lancaster, mostly in January and December. Next come extreme cold & wind chill (72 days) and heavy snow & winter storms (64 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Blizzards | 79 | Jan 2026 | Apr 5, 1997 · $5.0 million damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 72 | Jan 2026 | Mar 8, 2003 · $21,000 damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 64 | Mar 2026 | — |
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 57 | Jun 2024 | Jul 20, 2011 · $800,000 damage |
| Flooding | 33 | May 2023 | Apr 21, 1997 · $5.0 million damage |
| High winds | 21 | May 2026 | Sep 19, 2017 · $5,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 14 | Jul 2020 | Jul 4, 2020 · $550,000 damage |
| Ice storms & sleet | 4 | Feb 2009 | Apr 4, 1997 · $2.0 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 Kittson forecast zone and Kittson County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
Which radars cover Lancaster?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KMVX (Grand Forks, ND), about 95 miles south-southwest. 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 Lancaster | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KMVX Grand Forks, ND | 95 mi south-southwest | 8,900 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KMBX Minot AFB, ND | 188 mi west | 26,400 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KBIS Bismarck, ND | 234 mi southwest | 38,000 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 Lancaster
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 45 tornadoes within 25 miles of Lancaster, 8 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in July and August. The strongest was an F3 on May 19, 2004, which touched down about 12 miles west-northwest of town. The most recent was an EF0 on July 19, 2022, which touched down near town.
Hail: 143 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 19 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.50-inch hail on August 27, 1990.
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 Lancaster'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.
Lancaster radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Lancaster, MN?
KMVX (Grand Forks, ND), about 95 miles south-southwest. KMBX (Minot AFB, ND) is 188 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Lancaster?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Lancaster the lowest scan from KMVX is about 8,900 ft up, so light snow from shallow clouds can be under-shown — check NWS winter alerts too.
Is TALON's radar for Lancaster 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 Lancaster, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Warren, MN radar 46 mi
- Roseau, MN radar 47 mi
- Thief River Falls, MN radar 59 mi