Watertown, MN Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Watertown, Carver County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Watertown?
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 Watertown, mostly in March and December. Next come damaging thunderstorm winds (81 days) and extreme cold & wind chill (21 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 97 | Mar 2026 | Dec 23, 1996 · 1 death |
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 81 | Jul 2025 | May 30, 1998 · $9.2 million damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 21 | Jan 2026 | Jan 29, 2019 · 1 death |
| Excessive heat | 14 | Aug 2023 | — |
| Flooding | 13 | Mar 2019 | Jun 18, 2014 · $9.2 million damage |
| Flash flooding | 13 | Jun 2018 | Jun 23, 2013 · $100,000 damage |
| High winds | 10 | Mar 2026 | — |
| Blizzards | 4 | Dec 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 Watertown get?
A normal year brings about 45 inches of snow to Watertown, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Rockford weather station 10.3 miles away. The snowiest month is usually February (9.9 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.2 | 6.2 | 9.7 | 7.9 | 9.9 | 6.8 | 4.4 | 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 Watertown?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KMPX (Minneapolis, MN), about 16 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 Watertown | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KMPX Minneapolis, MN | 16 mi east-southeast | 800 ft | Excellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground |
| KDLH Duluth, MN | 152 mi north-northeast | 18,500 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KARX La Crosse, WI | 153 mi east-southeast | 18,700 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 Watertown
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 96 tornadoes within 25 miles of Watertown, 19 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in July and June. The strongest was an F4 on May 6, 1965, which passed about 23 miles east of town and caused 6 deaths. The most recent was an EF0 on June 28, 2025, which passed about 16 miles south-southeast of town.
Hail: 588 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 89 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.00-inch hail on August 5, 2019.
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 Watertown'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.
Watertown radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Watertown, MN?
KMPX (Minneapolis, MN), about 16 miles east-southeast. KDLH (Duluth, MN) is 152 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Watertown?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Watertown the lowest scan from KMPX is about 800 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Watertown 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 Watertown, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
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