Rochester, MN Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Rochester, Olmsted County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Rochester?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged heavy snow or a winter storm on 88 days in the Olmsted forecast zone and Olmsted County — the most common reported hazard around Rochester, mostly in February and January. Next come damaging thunderstorm winds (86 days) and extreme cold & wind chill (40 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 88 | Mar 2026 | Apr 12, 2020 · 1 death · $10,000 damage |
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 86 | Jul 2025 | Dec 15, 2021 · 1 death · $10,000 damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 40 | Jan 2026 | Jan 29, 2019 · 1 death · $40,000 damage |
| Flooding | 30 | Jun 2024 | Sep 23, 2010 · $3.5 million damage |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 19 | Jun 2020 | Jul 21, 2005 · $1.6 million damage |
| High winds | 18 | Mar 2026 | Dec 15, 2021 · $175,000 damage |
| Blizzards | 17 | Dec 2025 | Mar 9, 2002 · 1 death · $50,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 16 | Jun 2024 | Aug 18, 2007 · $35 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 Olmsted forecast zone and Olmsted County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Rochester get?
A normal year brings about 52 inches of snow to Rochester, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Rochester Ap 2Ne weather station 5.6 miles away. The snowiest month is usually December (13.7 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.8 | 3.2 | 13.7 | 9.2 | 13.0 | 8.3 | 3.4 | 0.7 |
Normal snowfall in inches. TALON Pro compares this season's snow at your location with these normals as winter goes on.
Which radars cover Rochester?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KARX (La Crosse, WI), about 65 miles east. 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 Rochester | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KARX La Crosse, WI | 65 mi east | 5,200 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KMPX Minneapolis, MN | 79 mi northwest | 6,700 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KDMX Des Moines, IA | 170 mi south-southwest | 22,300 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 Rochester
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 90 tornadoes within 25 miles of Rochester, 12 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in June and May. The strongest was an F4 on September 16, 1962, which touched down about 3 miles south-southeast of town. The most recent was an EF1 on June 25, 2025, which touched down about 21 miles north of town.
Hail: 395 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 37 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 3.00-inch hail on July 18, 2012.
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 Rochester'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.
Rochester radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Rochester, MN?
KARX (La Crosse, WI), about 65 miles east. KMPX (Minneapolis, MN) is 79 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Rochester?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Rochester the lowest scan from KARX is about 5,200 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Rochester 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 Rochester, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Byron, MN radar 8 mi
- Oronoco, MN radar 10 mi
- Stewartville, MN radar 11 mi
- Eyota, MN radar 12 mi
- Kasson, MN radar 13 mi
- Elgin, MN radar 14 mi
- Mantorville, MN radar 14 mi
- Pine Island, MN radar 15 mi
- Plainview, MN radar 19 mi
- Dodge Center, MN radar 19 mi