Onamia, MN Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Onamia, Mille Lacs County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Onamia?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged heavy snow or a winter storm on 86 days in the Mille Lacs forecast zone and Mille Lacs County — the most common reported hazard around Onamia, mostly in December and February. Next come damaging thunderstorm winds (56 days) and extreme cold & wind chill (26 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 86 | Dec 2025 | — |
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 56 | Jun 2026 | Aug 14, 2020 · $250,000 damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 26 | Jan 2026 | — |
| Flash flooding | 9 | Aug 2016 | Apr 22, 2001 · $300,000 damage |
| Excessive heat | 8 | Aug 2022 | — |
| Flooding | 4 | Oct 2005 | — |
| High winds | 3 | Oct 2010 | Oct 26, 2010 · $10,000 damage |
| Blizzards | 2 | Dec 2020 | — |
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 Mille Lacs forecast zone and Mille Lacs County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Onamia get?
A normal year brings about 32 inches of snow to Onamia, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Onamia Rs weather station in town. The snowiest month is usually January (8.1 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.3 | 4.5 | 4.0 | 8.1 | 5.2 | 7.4 | 2.1 | 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 Onamia?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KMPX (Minneapolis, MN), about 85 miles south. 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 Onamia | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KMPX Minneapolis, MN | 85 mi south | 7,500 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KDLH Duluth, MN | 87 mi northeast | 7,800 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KARX La Crosse, WI | 197 mi southeast | 28,500 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 Onamia
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 40 tornadoes within 25 miles of Onamia, 8 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in July and June. The strongest was an F3 on September 18, 1997, which crossed near town and caused 1 death. The most recent was an EF1 on August 29, 2024, which passed about 19 miles west of town.
Hail: 153 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 22 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 3.50-inch hail on July 1, 2011.
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 Onamia'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.
Onamia radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Onamia, MN?
KMPX (Minneapolis, MN), about 85 miles south. KDLH (Duluth, MN) is 87 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Onamia?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Onamia the lowest scan from KMPX is about 7,500 ft up, so light snow from shallow clouds can be under-shown — check NWS winter alerts too.
Is TALON's radar for Onamia 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 Onamia, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
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