Preston, MN Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Preston, Fillmore County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Preston?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged heavy snow or a winter storm on 82 days in the Fillmore forecast zone and Fillmore County — the most common reported hazard around Preston, mostly in February and December. Next come damaging thunderstorm winds (80 days) and extreme cold & wind chill (33 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 82 | Mar 2026 | — |
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 80 | Apr 2026 | Dec 15, 2021 · $90,000 damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 33 | Jan 2026 | — |
| Flash flooding | 32 | Jun 2024 | Aug 18, 2007 · $38 million damage |
| Blizzards | 16 | Dec 2025 | Feb 23, 2019 · $8,000 damage |
| High winds | 13 | Mar 2026 | Dec 15, 2021 · $570,000 damage |
| Excessive heat | 12 | Jun 2026 | Jul 17, 2011 · $45,000 damage |
| Flooding | 12 | Jun 2013 | Aug 19, 2007 · $12 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 Fillmore forecast zone and Fillmore County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Preston get?
A normal year brings about 42 inches of snow to Preston, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Preston weather station in town. The snowiest month is usually January (11.0 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.3 | 2.6 | 9.8 | 11.0 | 8.2 | 7.5 | 2.5 | 0.3 |
Normal snowfall in inches. TALON Pro compares this season's snow at your location with these normals as winter goes on.
Which radars cover Preston?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KARX (La Crosse, WI), about 46 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 Preston | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KARX La Crosse, WI | 46 mi east-northeast | 3,200 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KMPX Minneapolis, MN | 110 mi northwest | 11,000 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KDMX Des Moines, IA | 158 mi south-southwest | 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 Preston
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 86 tornadoes within 25 miles of Preston, 19 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in May and June. The strongest was an F5 on May 15, 1968, which passed about 19 miles southwest of town and caused 13 deaths. The most recent was an EF1 on June 25, 2025, which passed about 16 miles east of town.
Hail: 210 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 17 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 3.00-inch hail on July 20, 1998.
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 Preston'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.
Preston radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Preston, MN?
KARX (La Crosse, WI), about 46 miles east-northeast. KMPX (Minneapolis, MN) is 110 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Preston?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Preston the lowest scan from KARX is about 3,200 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Preston 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 Preston, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Harmony, MN radar 9 mi
- Chatfield, MN radar 13 mi
- Spring Valley, MN radar 15 mi
- Rushford, MN radar 19 mi
- St. Charles, MN radar 20 mi
- Eyota, MN radar 23 mi
- Spring Grove, MN radar 24 mi
- Lewiston, MN radar 24 mi
- Stewartville, MN radar 24 mi
- Grand Meadow, MN radar 24 mi