Wadena, MN Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Wadena, Wadena County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Wadena?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged heavy snow or a winter storm on 80 days in the Wadena forecast zone and Wadena County — the most common reported hazard around Wadena, mostly in December and March. Next come damaging thunderstorm winds (55 days) and extreme cold & wind chill (49 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 80 | Dec 2025 | — |
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 55 | Jun 2026 | Sep 25, 1998 · $500,000 damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 49 | Jan 2026 | Mar 8, 2003 · $21,000 damage |
| High winds | 10 | Feb 2025 | Jun 11, 2008 · $150,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 9 | Jun 2018 | Jun 17, 2018 · $85,000 damage |
| Blizzards | 7 | Mar 2025 | — |
| Flooding | 4 | Sep 2014 | May 27, 2012 · $55,000 damage |
| Ice storms & sleet | 3 | Dec 2016 | — |
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 Wadena forecast zone and Wadena County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Wadena get?
A normal year brings about 51 inches of snow to Wadena, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Wadena 3 S weather station 3.8 miles away. The snowiest month is usually January (12.2 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.1 | 7.5 | 8.7 | 12.2 | 7.9 | 8.9 | 4.5 | 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 Wadena?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KMVX (Grand Forks, ND), about 128 miles northwest. 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 Wadena | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KMVX Grand Forks, ND | 128 mi northwest | 14,000 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KMPX Minneapolis, MN | 134 mi southeast | 15,100 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KDLH Duluth, MN | 141 mi east-northeast | 16,400 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 Wadena
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 70 tornadoes within 25 miles of Wadena, 18 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in July and June. The strongest was an EF4 on June 17, 2010, which passed about 8 miles west-northwest of town and caused 1 death. The most recent was an EF2 on June 24, 2022, which passed about 20 miles north of town.
Hail: 276 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 8, 2000.
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 Wadena'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.
Wadena radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Wadena, MN?
KMVX (Grand Forks, ND), about 128 miles northwest. KMPX (Minneapolis, MN) is 134 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Wadena?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Wadena the lowest scan from KMVX is about 14,000 ft up, so light snow from shallow clouds can be under-shown — check NWS winter alerts too.
Is TALON's radar for Wadena 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 Wadena, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- New York Mills, MN radar 13 mi
- Staples, MN radar 16 mi
- Menahga, MN radar 21 mi
- Parkers Prairie, MN radar 23 mi
- Perham, MN radar 24 mi
- Park Rapids, MN radar 33 mi
- Frazee, MN radar 34 mi
- Long Prairie, MN radar 35 mi
- Lake Shore, MN radar 36 mi
- East Gull Lake, MN radar 37 mi