Pillager, MN Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Pillager, Cass County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Pillager?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 99 days in the South Cass forecast zone and Cass County — the most common reported hazard around Pillager, mostly in July and June. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (79 days) and extreme cold & wind chill (27 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 99 | Jun 2026 | Aug 14, 2000 · 1 death |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 79 | Dec 2025 | Mar 26, 2018 · 1 death |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 27 | Jan 2026 | — |
| Ice storms & sleet | 6 | Jan 2013 | — |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 4 | Apr 2025 | Jul 28, 2015 · $155,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 3 | Jun 2024 | — |
| Flooding | 2 | Jun 2012 | Jun 20, 2012 · $300,000 damage |
| Excessive heat | 2 | Jul 2016 | — |
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 South Cass forecast zone and Cass County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Pillager get?
A normal year brings about 48 inches of snow to Pillager, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Brainerd weather station 12.9 miles away. The snowiest month is usually January (10.0 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.7 | 5.7 | 10.0 | 10.0 | 8.3 | 9.2 | 4.3 | 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 Pillager?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KMPX (Minneapolis, MN), about 111 miles south-southeast. 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 Pillager | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KMPX Minneapolis, MN | 111 mi south-southeast | 11,400 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KDLH Duluth, MN | 113 mi east-northeast | 11,600 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KMVX Grand Forks, ND | 158 mi west-northwest | 19,700 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 Pillager
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 46 tornadoes within 25 miles of Pillager, 11 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in July and June. The strongest was an F4 on June 11, 1966, which passed about 21 miles north-northeast of town. The most recent was an EF1 on June 16, 2025, which passed about 7 miles north of town.
Hail: 240 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 31 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.00-inch hail on June 19, 2016.
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 Pillager'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.
Pillager radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Pillager, MN?
KMPX (Minneapolis, MN), about 111 miles south-southeast. KDLH (Duluth, MN) is 113 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Pillager?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Pillager the lowest scan from KMPX is about 11,400 ft up, so light snow from shallow clouds can be under-shown — check NWS winter alerts too.
Is TALON's radar for Pillager 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 Pillager, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- East Gull Lake, MN radar 7 mi
- Baxter, MN radar 10 mi
- Lake Shore, MN radar 13 mi
- Brainerd, MN radar 13 mi
- Nisswa, MN radar 15 mi
- Staples, MN radar 16 mi
- Pequot Lakes, MN radar 20 mi
- Breezy Point, MN radar 23 mi
- Little Falls, MN radar 24 mi
- Crosby, MN radar 28 mi