Rockford, MN Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Rockford, Wright County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Rockford?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 97 days in the Wright forecast zone and Wright County — the most common reported hazard around Rockford, mostly in June and July. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (84 days) and extreme cold & wind chill (25 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 97 | Jun 2026 | Jul 1, 1997 · $20 million damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 84 | Mar 2026 | Apr 16, 2014 · 1 death |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 25 | Jan 2026 | — |
| Flash flooding | 13 | Jul 2016 | Jun 24, 2002 · $25 million damage |
| Excessive heat | 12 | Aug 2023 | — |
| High winds | 9 | Mar 2026 | — |
| Flooding | 8 | Jun 2025 | — |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 7 | Jul 2016 | Apr 24, 2016 · $500,000 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 Wright forecast zone and Wright County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Rockford get?
A normal year brings about 45 inches of snow to Rockford, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Rockford weather station in town. The snowiest month is usually February (9.9 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.2 | 6.2 | 9.7 | 7.9 | 9.9 | 6.8 | 4.4 | 0.0 |
Normal snowfall in inches. TALON Pro compares this season's snow at your location with these normals as winter goes on.
Which radars cover Rockford?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KMPX (Minneapolis, MN), about 19 miles south-southeast. 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 Rockford | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KMPX Minneapolis, MN | 19 mi south-southeast | 1,000 ft | Excellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground |
| KDLH Duluth, MN | 141 mi north-northeast | 16,500 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KARX La Crosse, WI | 153 mi southeast | 18,800 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 Rockford
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 95 tornadoes within 25 miles of Rockford, 24 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in June and July. The strongest was an F4 on May 6, 1965, which passed about 19 miles east-southeast of town and caused 6 deaths. The most recent was an EF0 on June 28, 2025, which passed about 24 miles south of town.
Hail: 715 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 111 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.00-inch hail on August 5, 2019.
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 Rockford'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.
Rockford radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Rockford, MN?
KMPX (Minneapolis, MN), about 19 miles south-southeast. KDLH (Duluth, MN) is 141 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Rockford?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Rockford the lowest scan from KMPX is about 1,000 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Rockford 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 Rockford, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
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