Lonsdale, MN Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Lonsdale, Rice County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Lonsdale?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged heavy snow or a winter storm on 86 days in the Rice forecast zone and Rice County — the most common reported hazard around Lonsdale, mostly in December and March. Next come damaging thunderstorm winds (61 days) and extreme cold & wind chill (19 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 86 | Dec 2025 | — |
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 61 | Jul 2025 | Apr 12, 2022 · $10 million damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 19 | Jan 2026 | — |
| Blizzards | 15 | Mar 2026 | Dec 10, 2010 · 1 death |
| Flash flooding | 15 | Jun 2025 | Jul 13, 2013 · $2.0 million damage |
| High winds | 12 | Dec 2021 | — |
| Excessive heat | 11 | Aug 2022 | — |
| Flooding | 7 | Jun 2020 | Sep 23, 2010 · $1.8 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 Rice forecast zone and Rice County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Lonsdale get?
A normal year brings about 39 inches of snow to Lonsdale, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Montgomery weather station 11.8 miles away. The snowiest month is usually February (10.3 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.2 | 2.5 | 9.8 | 7.0 | 10.3 | 7.0 | 2.3 | 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 Lonsdale?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KMPX (Minneapolis, MN), about 27 miles north-northwest. 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 Lonsdale | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KMPX Minneapolis, MN | 27 mi north-northwest | 1,600 ft | Excellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground |
| KARX La Crosse, WI | 120 mi east-southeast | 12,700 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KDLH Duluth, MN | 173 mi north-northeast | 23,000 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 Lonsdale
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 125 tornadoes within 25 miles of Lonsdale, 21 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in May and June. The strongest was an F4 on April 30, 1967, which passed about 25 miles south of town and caused 6 deaths. The most recent was an EF0 on June 28, 2025, which passed about 24 miles northwest of town.
Hail: 467 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 60 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.25-inch hail on August 24, 2006.
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 Lonsdale'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.
Lonsdale radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Lonsdale, MN?
KMPX (Minneapolis, MN), about 27 miles north-northwest. KARX (La Crosse, WI) is 120 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Lonsdale?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Lonsdale the lowest scan from KMPX is about 1,600 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Lonsdale 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 Lonsdale, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Elko New Market, MN radar 8 mi
- Montgomery, MN radar 8 mi
- New Prague, MN radar 9 mi
- Dundas, MN radar 11 mi
- Northfield, MN radar 13 mi
- Credit River, MN radar 14 mi
- Faribault, MN radar 14 mi
- Lakeville, MN radar 16 mi
- Le Center, MN radar 16 mi
- Jordan, MN radar 17 mi