Mendota Heights, MN Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Mendota Heights, Dakota County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Mendota Heights?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged heavy snow or a winter storm on 93 days in the Dakota forecast zone and Dakota County — the most common reported hazard around Mendota Heights, mostly in March and February. Next come damaging thunderstorm winds (92 days) and extreme cold & wind chill (19 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 93 | Feb 2026 | — |
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 92 | Jul 2025 | May 30, 1998 · $140 million damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 19 | Jan 2026 | Jan 5, 2014 · 1 death |
| Flash flooding | 18 | Jul 2017 | Jul 7, 2000 · 1 death · $20 million damage |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 15 | Aug 2020 | Jul 24, 2006 · $1.0 million damage |
| Excessive heat | 14 | Aug 2023 | — |
| High winds | 11 | Dec 2021 | Oct 26, 2010 · $10,000 damage |
| Flooding | 10 | Mar 2019 | — |
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 Dakota forecast zone and Dakota County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Mendota Heights get?
A normal year brings about 51 inches of snow to Mendota Heights, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Minneapolis/St Paul Ap weather station 4.7 miles away. The snowiest month is usually December (11.4 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.8 | 6.8 | 11.4 | 11.0 | 9.5 | 8.2 | 3.5 | 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 Mendota Heights?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KMPX (Minneapolis, MN), about 21 miles west. 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 Mendota Heights | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KMPX Minneapolis, MN | 21 mi west | 1,200 ft | Excellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground |
| KARX La Crosse, WI | 121 mi southeast | 12,800 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KDLH Duluth, MN | 142 mi north-northeast | 16,700 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 Mendota Heights
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 105 tornadoes within 25 miles of Mendota Heights, 22 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in July and May. The strongest was an F4 on May 6, 1965, which passed about 13 miles northwest of town and caused 6 deaths. The most recent was an EF1 on June 28, 2025, which passed about 23 miles west of town.
Hail: 942 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 102 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.00-inch hail on July 8, 1966.
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 Mendota Heights'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.
Mendota Heights radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Mendota Heights, MN?
KMPX (Minneapolis, MN), about 21 miles west. KARX (La Crosse, WI) is 121 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Mendota Heights?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Mendota Heights the lowest scan from KMPX is about 1,200 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Mendota Heights 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 Mendota Heights, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.