Porter, MN Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Porter, Yellow Medicine County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Porter?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged heavy snow or a winter storm on 76 days in the Yellow Medicine forecast zone and Yellow Medicine County — the most common reported hazard around Porter, mostly in March and January. Next come damaging thunderstorm winds (47 days) and blizzards (40 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 76 | Mar 2026 | — |
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 47 | Jun 2026 | Aug 8, 2020 · $1.8 million damage |
| Blizzards | 40 | Feb 2026 | — |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 36 | Jan 2026 | — |
| High winds | 18 | Mar 2026 | — |
| Excessive heat | 14 | Aug 2023 | Aug 4, 2001 · 5 deaths |
| Flooding | 9 | Mar 2019 | Mar 16, 2010 · $420,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 5 | Jun 2025 | Jun 18, 2014 · $5,000 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 Yellow Medicine forecast zone and Yellow Medicine County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Porter get?
A normal year brings about 48 inches of snow to Porter, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Canby weather station 7.2 miles away. The snowiest month is usually December (9.9 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.0 | 6.4 | 9.9 | 7.8 | 8.0 | 7.4 | 7.2 | 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 Porter?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KFSD (Sioux Falls, SD), about 78 miles south-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 Porter | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KFSD Sioux Falls, SD | 78 mi south-southwest | 6,600 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KABR Aberdeen, SD | 123 mi west-northwest | 13,300 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KMPX Minneapolis, MN | 129 mi east | 14,200 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 Porter
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 63 tornadoes within 25 miles of Porter, 12 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in June and July. The strongest was an F4 on July 7, 1955, which passed about 11 miles south of town and caused 1 death. The most recent was an EF0 on June 28, 2025, which touched down about 19 miles west-northwest of town.
Hail: 248 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 29 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 3.50-inch hail on July 18, 1963.
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 Porter'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.
Porter radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Porter, MN?
KFSD (Sioux Falls, SD), about 78 miles south-southwest. KABR (Aberdeen, SD) is 123 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Porter?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Porter the lowest scan from KFSD is about 6,600 ft up, so light snow from shallow clouds can be under-shown — check NWS winter alerts too.
Is TALON's radar for Porter 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 Porter, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Canby, MN radar 7 mi
- Minneota, MN radar 11 mi
- Dawson, MN radar 21 mi
- Marshall, MN radar 23 mi
- Cottonwood, MN radar 25 mi
- Tyler, MN radar 25 mi
- Madison, MN radar 26 mi
- Montevideo, MN radar 31 mi
- Granite Falls, MN radar 33 mi
- Tracy, MN radar 39 mi