Pipestone, MN Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Pipestone, Pipestone County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Pipestone?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged heavy snow or a winter storm on 56 days in the Pipestone forecast zone and Pipestone County — the most common reported hazard around Pipestone, mostly in December and March. Next come flooding (52 days) and damaging thunderstorm winds (47 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 56 | Mar 2024 | Apr 9, 2013 · $1.0 million damage |
| Flooding | 52 | Jun 2024 | Jun 1, 2019 · $13 million damage |
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 47 | Sep 2025 | Aug 28, 2021 · $76,000 damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 37 | Dec 2025 | — |
| High winds | 31 | Mar 2026 | Apr 12, 1998 · $30,000 damage |
| Blizzards | 31 | Mar 2026 | Apr 11, 2019 · $485,000 damage |
| Excessive heat | 17 | Jun 2026 | — |
| Flash flooding | 10 | Aug 2021 | Jun 16, 2014 · $100,000 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 Pipestone forecast zone and Pipestone County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Pipestone get?
A normal year brings about 40 inches of snow to Pipestone, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Pipestone weather station 1.4 miles away. The snowiest month is usually February (8.8 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.0 | 5.5 | 8.5 | 6.0 | 8.8 | 5.7 | 4.0 | 0.1 |
Normal snowfall in inches. TALON Pro compares this season's snow at your location with these normals as winter goes on.
Which radars cover Pipestone?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KFSD (Sioux Falls, SD), about 35 miles southwest. 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 Pipestone | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KFSD Sioux Falls, SD | 35 mi southwest | 2,200 ft | Excellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground |
| KABR Aberdeen, SD | 144 mi northwest | 17,100 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KMPX Minneapolis, MN | 148 mi east-northeast | 17,700 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 Pipestone
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 69 tornadoes within 25 miles of Pipestone, 15 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in June and May. The strongest was an F5 on June 16, 1992, which passed about 19 miles east-southeast of town and caused 1 death. The most recent was a tornado of unknown strength on September 23, 2023, which touched down about 18 miles southeast of town.
Hail: 281 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 35 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 6.00-inch hail on July 4, 1968.
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 Pipestone'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.
Pipestone radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Pipestone, MN?
KFSD (Sioux Falls, SD), about 35 miles southwest. KABR (Aberdeen, SD) is 144 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Pipestone?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Pipestone the lowest scan from KFSD is about 2,200 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Pipestone 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 Pipestone, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Edgerton, MN radar 12 mi
- Tyler, MN radar 21 mi
- Luverne, MN radar 24 mi
- Slayton, MN radar 27 mi
- Adrian, MN radar 31 mi
- Fulda, MN radar 36 mi
- Tracy, MN radar 38 mi
- Marshall, MN radar 41 mi
- Minneota, MN radar 42 mi
- Worthington, MN radar 44 mi