Owatonna, MN Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Owatonna, Steele County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Owatonna?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged heavy snow or a winter storm on 86 days in the Steele forecast zone and Steele County — the most common reported hazard around Owatonna, mostly in January and March. Next come damaging thunderstorm winds (48 days) and blizzards (22 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 86 | Nov 2025 | — |
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 48 | Jul 2025 | May 19, 1996 · $5.0 million damage |
| Blizzards | 22 | Mar 2026 | — |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 21 | Jan 2026 | — |
| Flash flooding | 18 | Jun 2026 | Oct 1, 2007 · $3.0 million damage |
| High winds | 16 | Mar 2026 | Apr 6, 2021 · $5,000 damage |
| Excessive heat | 11 | Aug 2023 | — |
| Flooding | 8 | Sep 2016 | Sep 23, 2010 · $28 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 Steele forecast zone and Steele County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Owatonna get?
A normal year brings about 44 inches of snow to Owatonna, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Owatonna weather station in town. The snowiest month is usually December (11.2 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.3 | 3.1 | 11.2 | 9.5 | 10.2 | 6.8 | 2.6 | 0.5 |
Normal snowfall in inches. TALON Pro compares this season's snow at your location with these normals as winter goes on.
Which radars cover Owatonna?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KMPX (Minneapolis, MN), about 55 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 Owatonna | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KMPX Minneapolis, MN | 55 mi north-northwest | 4,000 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KARX La Crosse, WI | 103 mi east | 10,100 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KDMX Des Moines, IA | 165 mi south | 21,200 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 Owatonna
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 134 tornadoes within 25 miles of Owatonna, 22 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in June and May. The strongest was an F4 on April 30, 1967, which passed about 12 miles west of town and caused 6 deaths. The most recent was a tornado of unknown strength on August 29, 2025, which touched down about 21 miles northeast of town.
Hail: 294 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 27 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 3.50-inch hail on July 13, 2024.
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 Owatonna'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.
Owatonna radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Owatonna, MN?
KMPX (Minneapolis, MN), about 55 miles north-northwest. KARX (La Crosse, WI) is 103 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Owatonna?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Owatonna the lowest scan from KMPX is about 4,000 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Owatonna 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 Owatonna, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Medford, MN radar 5 mi
- Waseca, MN radar 14 mi
- Morristown, MN radar 14 mi
- Faribault, MN radar 15 mi
- Kenyon, MN radar 17 mi
- Blooming Prairie, MN radar 18 mi
- New Richland, MN radar 19 mi
- Waterville, MN radar 19 mi
- Dodge Center, MN radar 19 mi
- Dundas, MN radar 23 mi