Rothsay, MN Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Rothsay, Wilkin County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Rothsay?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged heavy snow or a winter storm on 83 days in the Wilkin forecast zone and Wilkin County — the most common reported hazard around Rothsay, mostly in March and December. Next come damaging thunderstorm winds (75 days) and blizzards (74 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 83 | Apr 2026 | Nov 27, 2005 · $1.3 million damage |
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 75 | Jun 2026 | Jun 13, 2017 · $500,000 damage |
| Blizzards | 74 | Jan 2026 | — |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 57 | Jan 2026 | Mar 8, 2003 · $21,000 damage |
| High winds | 31 | Mar 2026 | Jun 11, 2008 · $200,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 29 | May 2022 | Aug 12, 2008 · $220,000 damage |
| Flooding | 24 | Apr 2023 | Apr 5, 1997 · $20 million damage |
| Ice storms & sleet | 4 | Dec 2016 | — |
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 Wilkin forecast zone and Wilkin County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Rothsay get?
A normal year brings about 50 inches of snow to Rothsay, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Rothsay weather station in town. The snowiest month is usually January (11.4 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.6 | 6.9 | 10.7 | 11.4 | 7.7 | 7.2 | 4.1 | 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 Rothsay?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KMVX (Grand Forks, ND), about 88 miles north-northwest. 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 Rothsay | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KMVX Grand Forks, ND | 88 mi north-northwest | 7,900 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KABR Aberdeen, SD | 124 mi west-southwest | 13,400 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KMPX Minneapolis, MN | 173 mi southeast | 22,900 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 Rothsay
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 76 tornadoes within 25 miles of Rothsay, 14 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in June and July. The strongest was an F4 on July 2, 1955, which passed about 25 miles west of town and caused 2 deaths. The most recent was an EF2 on May 12, 2022, which passed about 23 miles south of town.
Hail: 249 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 30 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.50-inch hail on May 11, 2004.
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 Rothsay'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.
Rothsay radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Rothsay, MN?
KMVX (Grand Forks, ND), about 88 miles north-northwest. KABR (Aberdeen, SD) is 124 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Rothsay?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Rothsay the lowest scan from KMVX is about 7,900 ft up, so light snow from shallow clouds can be under-shown — check NWS winter alerts too.
Is TALON's radar for Rothsay 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 Rothsay, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
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- Barnesville, MN radar 14 mi
- Fergus Falls, MN radar 16 mi
- Breckenridge, MN radar 20 mi
- Hawley, MN radar 28 mi
- Glyndon, MN radar 31 mi
- Detroit Lakes, MN radar 31 mi
- Frazee, MN radar 33 mi
- Dilworth, MN radar 34 mi
- Perham, MN radar 35 mi