Oronoco, MN Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Oronoco, Olmsted County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Oronoco?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged heavy snow or a winter storm on 88 days in the Olmsted forecast zone and Olmsted County — the most common reported hazard around Oronoco, mostly in February and January. Next come damaging thunderstorm winds (86 days) and extreme cold & wind chill (40 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 88 | Mar 2026 | Apr 12, 2020 · 1 death · $10,000 damage |
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 86 | Jul 2025 | Dec 15, 2021 · 1 death · $10,000 damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 40 | Jan 2026 | Jan 29, 2019 · 1 death · $40,000 damage |
| Flooding | 30 | Jun 2024 | Sep 23, 2010 · $3.5 million damage |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 19 | Jun 2020 | Jul 21, 2005 · $1.6 million damage |
| High winds | 18 | Mar 2026 | Dec 15, 2021 · $175,000 damage |
| Blizzards | 17 | Dec 2025 | Mar 9, 2002 · 1 death · $50,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 16 | Jun 2024 | Aug 18, 2007 · $35 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 Olmsted forecast zone and Olmsted County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Oronoco get?
A normal year brings about 44 inches of snow to Oronoco, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Byron 4North weather station 6.8 miles away. The snowiest month is usually December (12.5 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.1 | 2.8 | 12.5 | 8.8 | 9.6 | 8.8 | 1.2 | 0.6 |
Normal snowfall in inches. TALON Pro compares this season's snow at your location with these normals as winter goes on.
Which radars cover Oronoco?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KMPX (Minneapolis, MN), about 70 miles 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 Oronoco | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KMPX Minneapolis, MN | 70 mi northwest | 5,600 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KARX La Crosse, WI | 71 mi east-southeast | 5,800 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KDMX Des Moines, IA | 178 mi south-southwest | 24,100 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 Oronoco
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 84 tornadoes within 25 miles of Oronoco, 9 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in June and May. The strongest was an F4 on September 16, 1962, which touched down about 14 miles south-southeast of town. The most recent was a tornado of unknown strength on August 29, 2025, which touched down about 18 miles west-northwest of town.
Hail: 373 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 37 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 3.00-inch hail on July 18, 2012.
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 Oronoco'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.
Oronoco radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Oronoco, MN?
KMPX (Minneapolis, MN), about 70 miles northwest. KARX (La Crosse, WI) is 71 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Oronoco?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Oronoco the lowest scan from KMPX is about 5,600 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Oronoco 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 Oronoco, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Pine Island, MN radar 5 mi
- Byron, MN radar 10 mi
- Rochester, MN radar 10 mi
- Zumbrota, MN radar 12 mi
- Mantorville, MN radar 12 mi
- Kasson, MN radar 14 mi
- Elgin, MN radar 14 mi
- Wanamingo, MN radar 16 mi
- Goodhue, MN radar 17 mi
- Dodge Center, MN radar 18 mi