Sandstone, MN Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Sandstone, Pine County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Sandstone?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged heavy snow or a winter storm on 88 days in the Pine forecast zone and Pine County — the most common reported hazard around Sandstone, mostly in December and March. Next come damaging thunderstorm winds (58 days) and extreme cold & wind chill (21 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 88 | Apr 2026 | Dec 31, 2006 · 1 death |
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 58 | Jun 2026 | Jul 1, 2011 · $500,000 damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 21 | Jan 2026 | — |
| Flash flooding | 10 | Sep 2019 | — |
| Ice storms & sleet | 5 | Apr 2023 | — |
| Flooding | 4 | Oct 2017 | Apr 6, 2001 · $1.4 million damage |
| Excessive heat | 2 | Jul 2016 | — |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 2 | Aug 2020 | Aug 26, 2013 · 1 death |
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 Pine forecast zone and Pine County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Sandstone get?
A normal year brings about 45 inches of snow to Sandstone, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Hinckley weather station 11.3 miles away. The snowiest month is usually November (8.8 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.7 | 8.8 | 8.8 | 7.3 | 7.7 | 7.7 | 3.7 | 0.1 |
Normal snowfall in inches. TALON Pro compares this season's snow at your location with these normals as winter goes on.
Which radars cover Sandstone?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KDLH (Duluth, MN), about 58 miles north-northeast. 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 Sandstone | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KDLH Duluth, MN | 58 mi north-northeast | 4,400 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KMPX Minneapolis, MN | 95 mi south-southwest | 8,900 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KARX La Crosse, WI | 179 mi south-southeast | 24,300 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 Sandstone
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 23 tornadoes within 25 miles of Sandstone, 6 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in June and July. The strongest was an F3 on June 30, 1968, which touched down about 11 miles west-northwest of town. The most recent was an EF1 on May 30, 2022, which passed about 6 miles southwest of town.
Hail: 152 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 15 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 5.00-inch hail on June 13, 1956.
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 Sandstone'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.
Sandstone radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Sandstone, MN?
KDLH (Duluth, MN), about 58 miles north-northeast. KMPX (Minneapolis, MN) is 95 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Sandstone?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Sandstone the lowest scan from KDLH is about 4,400 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Sandstone 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 Sandstone, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Hinckley, MN radar 8 mi
- Pine City, MN radar 20 mi
- Moose Lake, MN radar 23 mi
- Rock Creek, MN radar 25 mi
- Mora, MN radar 27 mi
- Rush City, MN radar 31 mi
- Braham, MN radar 32 mi
- Harris, MN radar 37 mi
- Cambridge, MN radar 43 mi
- North Branch, MN radar 43 mi