Mankato, MN Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Mankato, Blue Earth County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Mankato?
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 Mankato, 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 Mankato get?
A normal year brings about 39 inches of snow to Mankato, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Mankato weather station 2.5 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 Mankato?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KMPX (Minneapolis, MN), about 51 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 Mankato | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KMPX Minneapolis, MN | 51 mi north-northeast | 3,700 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KARX La Crosse, WI | 141 mi east | 16,400 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KFSD Sioux Falls, SD | 143 mi west-southwest | 16,800 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 Mankato
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 108 tornadoes within 25 miles of Mankato, 21 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in June and July. The strongest was an F4 on April 30, 1967, which passed about 25 miles east of town and caused 6 deaths. The most recent was an EF0 on September 4, 2025, which passed about 22 miles northwest of town.
Hail: 265 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 18 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 Mankato'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.
Mankato radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Mankato, MN?
KMPX (Minneapolis, MN), about 51 miles north-northeast. KARX (La Crosse, WI) is 141 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Mankato?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Mankato the lowest scan from KMPX is about 3,700 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Mankato 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 Mankato, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- North Mankato, MN radar 3 mi
- Eagle Lake, MN radar 5 mi
- Madison Lake, MN radar 8 mi
- St. Peter, MN radar 11 mi
- Nicollet, MN radar 13 mi
- Lake Crystal, MN radar 13 mi
- Janesville, MN radar 14 mi
- Mapleton, MN radar 17 mi
- Le Center, MN radar 19 mi
- Waterville, MN radar 20 mi