Waconia, MN Live Doppler Radar

Live radar for Waconia, Carver County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.

Open live radar for WaconiaWhat TALON shows

What weather hits Waconia?

Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged heavy snow or a winter storm on 97 days in the Carver forecast zone and Carver County — the most common reported hazard around Waconia, mostly in March and December. Next come damaging thunderstorm winds (81 days) and extreme cold & wind chill (21 days).

HazardDays reportedMost recentWorst on record
Heavy snow & winter storms97Mar 2026Dec 23, 1996 · 1 death
Damaging thunderstorm winds81Jul 2025May 30, 1998 · $9.2 million damage
Extreme cold & wind chill21Jan 2026Jan 29, 2019 · 1 death
Excessive heat14Aug 2023—
Flooding13Mar 2019Jun 18, 2014 · $9.2 million damage
Flash flooding13Jun 2018Jun 23, 2013 · $100,000 damage
High winds10Mar 2026—
Blizzards4Dec 2020—

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 Carver forecast zone and Carver County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.

How much snow does Waconia get?

A normal year brings about 52 inches of snow to Waconia, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Chaska 2Nw weather station 8 miles away. The snowiest month is usually December (16.6 in).

OctNovDecJanFebMarAprMay
0.33.516.67.811.48.04.00.0

Normal snowfall in inches. TALON Pro compares this season's snow at your location with these normals as winter goes on.

Which radars cover Waconia?

The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KMPX (Minneapolis, MN), about 11 miles east. 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.

RadarDistanceLowest beam over WaconiaView
KMPX
Minneapolis, MN		11 mi east600 ftExcellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground
KARX
La Crosse, WI		146 mi east-southeast17,500 ftLimited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms
KDLH
Duluth, MN		157 mi north-northeast19,700 ftLimited — 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 Waconia

Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 102 tornadoes within 25 miles of Waconia, 14 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in May and July. The strongest was an F4 on May 6, 1965, which passed about 22 miles east-northeast of town and caused 6 deaths. The most recent was an EF0 on June 28, 2025, which passed about 7 miles south-southeast of town.

Hail: 589 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 85 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.25-inch hail on August 24, 2006.

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 Waconia'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.

Waconia radar FAQ

Where is the nearest weather radar to Waconia, MN?

KMPX (Minneapolis, MN), about 11 miles east. KARX (La Crosse, WI) is 146 miles away and also covers the area.

Does radar show snow in Waconia?

Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Waconia the lowest scan from KMPX is about 600 ft up.

Is TALON's radar for Waconia 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 Waconia, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.

Radar for nearby towns

All Minnesota towns →