Ruthton, MN Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Ruthton, Pipestone County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Ruthton?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged heavy snow or a winter storm on 56 days in the Pipestone forecast zone and Pipestone County — the most common reported hazard around Ruthton, mostly in December and March. Next come flooding (52 days) and damaging thunderstorm winds (47 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 56 | Mar 2024 | Apr 9, 2013 · $1.0 million damage |
| Flooding | 52 | Jun 2024 | Jun 1, 2019 · $13 million damage |
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 47 | Sep 2025 | Aug 28, 2021 · $76,000 damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 37 | Dec 2025 | — |
| High winds | 31 | Mar 2026 | Apr 12, 1998 · $30,000 damage |
| Blizzards | 31 | Mar 2026 | Apr 11, 2019 · $485,000 damage |
| Excessive heat | 17 | Jun 2026 | — |
| Flash flooding | 10 | Aug 2021 | Jun 16, 2014 · $100,000 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 Pipestone forecast zone and Pipestone County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Ruthton get?
A normal year brings about 42 inches of snow to Ruthton, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Tyler weather station 7.1 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 Ruthton?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KFSD (Sioux Falls, SD), about 51 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 Ruthton | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KFSD Sioux Falls, SD | 51 mi southwest | 3,700 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KMPX Minneapolis, MN | 133 mi east-northeast | 15,000 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KABR Aberdeen, SD | 144 mi northwest | 16,900 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 Ruthton
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 71 tornadoes within 25 miles of Ruthton, 15 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in June and May. The strongest was an F5 on June 13, 1968, which passed about 18 miles east of town and caused 9 deaths. The most recent was a tornado of unknown strength on September 23, 2023, which touched down about 24 miles south of town.
Hail: 310 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 39 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 6.00-inch hail on July 4, 1968.
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 Ruthton'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.
Ruthton radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Ruthton, MN?
KFSD (Sioux Falls, SD), about 51 miles southwest. KMPX (Minneapolis, MN) is 133 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Ruthton?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Ruthton the lowest scan from KFSD is about 3,700 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Ruthton 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 Ruthton, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Tyler, MN radar 7 mi
- Pipestone, MN radar 16 mi
- Edgerton, MN radar 21 mi
- Slayton, MN radar 21 mi
- Tracy, MN radar 24 mi
- Marshall, MN radar 24 mi
- Minneota, MN radar 27 mi
- Fulda, MN radar 33 mi
- Luverne, MN radar 37 mi
- Cottonwood, MN radar 37 mi