Okabena, MN Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Okabena, Jackson County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Okabena?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged heavy snow or a winter storm on 55 days in the Jackson forecast zone and Jackson County — the most common reported hazard around Okabena, mostly in January and March. Next come damaging thunderstorm winds (47 days) and extreme cold & wind chill (39 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 55 | Nov 2025 | Apr 9, 2013 · $15 million damage |
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 47 | Jun 2026 | Aug 3, 2004 · $100,000 damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 39 | Dec 2025 | — |
| Blizzards | 37 | Mar 2026 | Mar 24, 1996 · 1 death · $10,000 damage |
| High winds | 34 | Mar 2026 | Jan 22, 2005 · $100,000 damage |
| Flooding | 32 | Jul 2024 | Jun 1, 2019 · $13 million damage |
| Excessive heat | 21 | Jun 2026 | — |
| Flash flooding | 14 | Aug 2018 | — |
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 Jackson forecast zone and Jackson County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Okabena get?
A normal year brings about 49 inches of snow to Okabena, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Lakefield 2Ne weather station 8.7 miles away. The snowiest month is usually December (10.2 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.1 | 5.2 | 10.2 | 9.2 | 9.3 | 7.8 | 5.4 | 0.3 |
Normal snowfall in inches. TALON Pro compares this season's snow at your location with these normals as winter goes on.
Which radars cover Okabena?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KFSD (Sioux Falls, SD), about 71 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 Okabena | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KFSD Sioux Falls, SD | 71 mi west | 5,800 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KMPX Minneapolis, MN | 116 mi northeast | 12,000 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KDMX Des Moines, IA | 161 mi south-southeast | 20,300 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 Okabena
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 92 tornadoes within 25 miles of Okabena, 13 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in May and August. The strongest was an F4 on March 29, 1998, which passed about 17 miles north-northwest of town and caused 1 death. The most recent was a tornado of unknown strength on April 28, 2025, which touched down about 10 miles west-southwest of town.
Hail: 278 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 24 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 6.00-inch hail on July 28, 1986.
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 Okabena'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.
Okabena radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Okabena, MN?
KFSD (Sioux Falls, SD), about 71 miles west. KMPX (Minneapolis, MN) is 116 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Okabena?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Okabena the lowest scan from KFSD is about 5,800 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Okabena 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 Okabena, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Lakefield, MN radar 9 mi
- Windom, MN radar 14 mi
- Worthington, MN radar 16 mi
- Fulda, MN radar 17 mi
- Jackson, MN radar 18 mi
- Mountain Lake, MN radar 24 mi
- Slayton, MN radar 28 mi
- Sherburn, MN radar 30 mi
- Adrian, MN radar 32 mi
- Tracy, MN radar 38 mi