Leota, MN Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Leota, Nobles County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Leota?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged heavy snow or a winter storm on 60 days in the Nobles forecast zone and Nobles County — the most common reported hazard around Leota, mostly in January and December. Next come damaging thunderstorm winds (56 days) and extreme cold & wind chill (39 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 60 | Nov 2025 | Apr 9, 2013 · $25 million damage |
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 56 | May 2026 | May 11, 2022 · 1 death |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 39 | Dec 2025 | — |
| High winds | 38 | Mar 2026 | Jan 21, 2005 · $150,000 damage |
| Blizzards | 33 | Mar 2026 | Jan 4, 1997 · $30,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 22 | Jun 2024 | Jun 18, 2020 · $5,000 damage |
| Excessive heat | 18 | Jun 2026 | Jul 15, 2011 · $10,000 damage |
| Flooding | 10 | Jun 2024 | Jun 1, 2019 · $18 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 Nobles forecast zone and Nobles County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Leota get?
A normal year brings about 46 inches of snow to Leota, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Lake Wilson weather station 12.5 miles away. The snowiest month is usually February (10.0 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.8 | 4.0 | 9.1 | 7.8 | 10.0 | 9.2 | 5.1 | 0.3 |
Normal snowfall in inches. TALON Pro compares this season's snow at your location with these normals as winter goes on.
Which radars cover Leota?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KFSD (Sioux Falls, SD), about 39 miles west-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 Leota | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KFSD Sioux Falls, SD | 39 mi west-southwest | 2,500 ft | Excellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground |
| KMPX Minneapolis, MN | 141 mi east-northeast | 16,400 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KABR Aberdeen, SD | 163 mi northwest | 20,700 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 Leota
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 84 tornadoes within 25 miles of Leota, 16 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in June and July. The strongest was an F5 on June 16, 1992, which crossed near town and caused 1 death. The most recent was a tornado of unknown strength on September 23, 2023, which touched down near town.
Hail: 278 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 34 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 6.00-inch hail on July 28, 1986.
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 Leota'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.
Leota radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Leota, MN?
KFSD (Sioux Falls, SD), about 39 miles west-southwest. KMPX (Minneapolis, MN) is 141 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Leota?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Leota the lowest scan from KFSD is about 2,500 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Leota 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 Leota, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Edgerton, MN radar 6 mi
- Adrian, MN radar 14 mi
- Luverne, MN radar 15 mi
- Slayton, MN radar 17 mi
- Pipestone, MN radar 18 mi
- Fulda, MN radar 21 mi
- Worthington, MN radar 25 mi
- Tyler, MN radar 32 mi
- Tracy, MN radar 35 mi
- Lakefield, MN radar 44 mi