Plato, MN Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Plato, McLeod County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Plato?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 100 days in the McLeod forecast zone and McLeod County — the most common reported hazard around Plato, mostly in June and July. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (87 days) and extreme cold & wind chill (25 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 100 | May 2026 | Sep 19, 2013 · $100,000 damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 87 | Mar 2026 | — |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 25 | Jan 2026 | — |
| Flash flooding | 16 | Aug 2016 | Jun 25, 2002 · $800,000 damage |
| Blizzards | 13 | Feb 2026 | Jan 26, 2014 · 1 death |
| High winds | 13 | Mar 2026 | — |
| Excessive heat | 13 | Aug 2023 | — |
| Flooding | 8 | Apr 2023 | Mar 15, 2010 · $190,000 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 McLeod forecast zone and McLeod County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
Which radars cover Plato?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KMPX (Minneapolis, MN), about 24 miles east-northeast. 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 Plato | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KMPX Minneapolis, MN | 24 mi east-northeast | 1,400 ft | Excellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground |
| KARX La Crosse, WI | 155 mi east-southeast | 19,200 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KFSD Sioux Falls, SD | 156 mi west-southwest | 19,400 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 Plato
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 100 tornadoes within 25 miles of Plato, 11 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in June and July. The strongest was an F4 on May 6, 1965, which passed about 14 miles east of town and caused 3 deaths. The most recent was an EF0 on September 4, 2025, which touched down about 24 miles south of town.
Hail: 407 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 60 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.25-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 Plato'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.
Plato radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Plato, MN?
KMPX (Minneapolis, MN), about 24 miles east-northeast. KARX (La Crosse, WI) is 155 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Plato?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Plato the lowest scan from KMPX is about 1,400 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Plato 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 Plato, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Glencoe, MN radar 5 mi
- Norwood Young America, MN radar 6 mi
- Lester Prairie, MN radar 8 mi
- Mayer, MN radar 11 mi
- Arlington, MN radar 11 mi
- Cologne, MN radar 12 mi
- Winsted, MN radar 13 mi
- Waconia, MN radar 13 mi
- Watertown, MN radar 16 mi
- St. Bonifacius, MN radar 17 mi