Russell, MN Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Russell, Lyon County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Russell?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged heavy snow or a winter storm on 66 days in the Lyon forecast zone and Lyon County — the most common reported hazard around Russell, mostly in December and March. Next come damaging thunderstorm winds (54 days) and high winds (45 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 66 | Feb 2026 | Jan 29, 2001 · $10,000 damage |
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 54 | May 2026 | Jul 1, 2011 · $300,000 damage |
| High winds | 45 | May 2026 | Jan 21, 2005 · $300,000 damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 40 | Feb 2025 | Jan 29, 1996 · $5,000 damage |
| Blizzards | 40 | Mar 2026 | Mar 1, 2007 · $50,000 damage |
| Flooding | 33 | Aug 2025 | Jun 1, 2019 · $28 million damage |
| Excessive heat | 22 | Jun 2026 | — |
| Flash flooding | 16 | Aug 2025 | Jul 3, 2018 · $155,000 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 Lyon forecast zone and Lyon County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Russell get?
A normal year brings about 42 inches of snow to Russell, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Tyler weather station 9.6 miles away. The snowiest month is usually March (8.8 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.4 | 8.3 | 6.4 | 6.5 | 6.2 | 8.8 | 5.4 | 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 Russell?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KFSD (Sioux Falls, SD), about 64 miles 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 Russell | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KFSD Sioux Falls, SD | 64 mi southwest | 5,000 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KMPX Minneapolis, MN | 123 mi east-northeast | 13,200 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KABR Aberdeen, SD | 144 mi northwest | 17,000 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 Russell
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 68 tornadoes within 25 miles of Russell, 12 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in June and July. The strongest was an F5 on June 13, 1968, which passed about 14 miles southeast of town and caused 9 deaths. The most recent was a tornado of unknown strength on June 10, 2023, which touched down about 23 miles south of town.
Hail: 292 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 32 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.50-inch hail on July 28, 1986.
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 Russell'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.
Russell radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Russell, MN?
KFSD (Sioux Falls, SD), about 64 miles southwest. KMPX (Minneapolis, MN) is 123 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Russell?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Russell the lowest scan from KFSD is about 5,000 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Russell 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 Russell, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Tyler, MN radar 10 mi
- Marshall, MN radar 12 mi
- Minneota, MN radar 17 mi
- Tracy, MN radar 17 mi
- Cottonwood, MN radar 24 mi
- Slayton, MN radar 25 mi
- Pipestone, MN radar 29 mi
- Canby, MN radar 32 mi
- Edgerton, MN radar 32 mi
- Fulda, MN radar 36 mi