Lutsen, MN Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Lutsen, Cook County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Lutsen?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged heavy snow or a winter storm on 114 days in the Southern Cook/North Shore forecast zone and Cook County — the most common reported hazard around Lutsen, mostly in December and January. Next come extreme cold & wind chill (56 days) and damaging thunderstorm winds (20 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 114 | Jan 2026 | — |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 56 | Jan 2026 | — |
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 20 | Aug 2025 | Jun 19, 2016 · 1 death |
| Flash flooding | 14 | Aug 2025 | Jun 6, 2008 · $900,000 damage |
| High winds | 11 | Mar 2026 | — |
| Blizzards | 11 | Mar 2026 | Dec 23, 2020 · $5,000 damage |
| Ice storms & sleet | 9 | Nov 2022 | — |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 3 | Sep 2025 | Aug 6, 1996 · 1 death |
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 Southern Cook/North Shore forecast zone and Cook County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
Which radars cover Lutsen?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KDLH (Duluth, MN), about 92 miles 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 Lutsen | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KDLH Duluth, MN | 92 mi southwest | 8,400 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KMQT Marquette, MI | 168 mi east-southeast | 21,800 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KMPX Minneapolis, MN | 239 mi southwest | 39,500 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 Lutsen
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 4 tornadoes within 25 miles of Lutsen. Most came in June and September. The strongest was an EF1 on June 12, 2024, which passed about 24 miles west-southwest of town.
Hail: 11 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 1 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 2.75-inch hail on July 31, 2000.
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 Lutsen'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.
Lutsen radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Lutsen, MN?
KDLH (Duluth, MN), about 92 miles southwest. KMQT (Marquette, MI) is 168 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Lutsen?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Lutsen the lowest scan from KDLH is about 8,400 ft up, so light snow from shallow clouds can be under-shown — check NWS winter alerts too.
Is TALON's radar for Lutsen 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 Lutsen, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Grand Marais, MN radar 17 mi
- Silver Bay, MN radar 38 mi
- Ely, MN radar 56 mi
- Babbitt, MN radar 58 mi