Starbuck, MN Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Starbuck, Pope County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Starbuck?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged heavy snow or a winter storm on 67 days in the Pope forecast zone and Pope County — the most common reported hazard around Starbuck, mostly in March and February. Next come damaging thunderstorm winds (44 days) and extreme cold & wind chill (43 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 67 | Dec 2025 | — |
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 44 | Jun 2026 | Jun 21, 2013 · $1.0 million damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 43 | Jan 2026 | — |
| Blizzards | 28 | Mar 2025 | — |
| High winds | 13 | Apr 2022 | — |
| Flash flooding | 11 | Jun 2013 | Apr 7, 2001 · $200,000 damage |
| Excessive heat | 8 | Jul 2016 | — |
| Flooding | 6 | Apr 2023 | — |
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 Pope forecast zone and Pope County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Starbuck get?
A normal year brings about 46 inches of snow to Starbuck, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Glenwood 2Wnw weather station 5.5 miles away. The snowiest month is usually January (10.6 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.6 | 5.3 | 10.4 | 10.6 | 8.9 | 7.6 | 2.9 | 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 Starbuck?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KMPX (Minneapolis, MN), about 109 miles east-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 Starbuck | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KMPX Minneapolis, MN | 109 mi east-southeast | 11,000 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KABR Aberdeen, SD | 140 mi west | 16,200 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KFSD Sioux Falls, SD | 152 mi south-southwest | 18,500 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 Starbuck
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 98 tornadoes within 25 miles of Starbuck, 12 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in May and June. The strongest was an F3 on June 18, 1964, which passed about 3 miles east-northeast of town. The most recent was an EF0 on May 15, 2025, which touched down about 25 miles south-southwest of town.
Hail: 231 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 24 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 3.00-inch hail on July 12, 1971.
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 Starbuck'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.
Starbuck radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Starbuck, MN?
KMPX (Minneapolis, MN), about 109 miles east-southeast. KABR (Aberdeen, SD) is 140 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Starbuck?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Starbuck the lowest scan from KMPX is about 11,000 ft up, so light snow from shallow clouds can be under-shown — check NWS winter alerts too.
Is TALON's radar for Starbuck 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 Starbuck, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
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- Morris, MN radar 18 mi
- Alexandria, MN radar 20 mi
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- Elbow Lake, MN radar 34 mi
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- New London, MN radar 36 mi
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