Moorhead, MN Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Moorhead, Clay County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Moorhead?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged heavy snow or a winter storm on 85 days in the Clay forecast zone and Clay County — the most common reported hazard around Moorhead, mostly in December and March. Next come damaging thunderstorm winds (85 days) and blizzards (78 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 85 | Apr 2026 | Nov 27, 2005 · $1.3 million damage |
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 85 | Jun 2026 | Jul 11, 2017 · $600,000 damage |
| Blizzards | 78 | Feb 2023 | Apr 5, 1997 · $5.0 million damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 61 | Jan 2026 | Dec 3, 2007 · 1 death |
| High winds | 30 | Jun 2026 | Nov 1, 1999 · $100,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 26 | Aug 2023 | Jun 19, 2000 · $5.0 million damage |
| Flooding | 23 | May 2024 | Apr 3, 2011 · 1 death |
| Ice storms & sleet | 8 | Dec 2023 | Apr 4, 1997 · $2.0 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 Clay forecast zone and Clay County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Moorhead get?
A normal year brings about 53 inches of snow to Moorhead, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Moorhead weather station 1.6 miles away. The snowiest month is usually January (12.2 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.7 | 8.0 | 10.8 | 12.2 | 7.7 | 9.3 | 4.0 | 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 Moorhead?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KMVX (Grand Forks, ND), about 53 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 Moorhead | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KMVX Grand Forks, ND | 53 mi north-northwest | 3,900 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KABR Aberdeen, SD | 126 mi southwest | 13,700 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KBIS Bismarck, ND | 190 mi west | 26,800 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 Moorhead
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 110 tornadoes within 25 miles of Moorhead, 19 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in July and June. The strongest was an F5 on June 20, 1957, which crossed near town and caused 10 deaths. The most recent was an EF1 on June 20, 2025, which passed about 20 miles north-northwest of town.
Hail: 343 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 45 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.50-inch hail on May 11, 2004.
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 Moorhead'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.
Moorhead radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Moorhead, MN?
KMVX (Grand Forks, ND), about 53 miles north-northwest. KABR (Aberdeen, SD) is 126 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Moorhead?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Moorhead the lowest scan from KMVX is about 3,900 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Moorhead 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 Moorhead, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Dilworth, MN radar 2 mi
- Glyndon, MN radar 8 mi
- Hawley, MN radar 20 mi
- Barnesville, MN radar 21 mi
- Ada, MN radar 32 mi
- Pelican Rapids, MN radar 37 mi
- Breckenridge, MN radar 42 mi
- Detroit Lakes, MN radar 43 mi
- Mahnomen, MN radar 48 mi
- Frazee, MN radar 50 mi