Watkins, MN Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Watkins, Meeker County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Watkins?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged heavy snow or a winter storm on 80 days in the Meeker forecast zone and Meeker County — the most common reported hazard around Watkins, mostly in February and March. Next come damaging thunderstorm winds (57 days) and extreme cold & wind chill (27 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 80 | Mar 2026 | — |
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 57 | Jul 2025 | Jun 11, 2001 · $13 million damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 27 | Jan 2026 | — |
| Excessive heat | 12 | Aug 2023 | — |
| Blizzards | 11 | Mar 2023 | — |
| High winds | 9 | Mar 2026 | Oct 26, 2010 · $10,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 6 | Jul 2011 | Apr 22, 2001 · $300,000 damage |
| Flooding | 4 | Apr 2001 | — |
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 Meeker forecast zone and Meeker County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
Which radars cover Watkins?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KMPX (Minneapolis, MN), about 52 miles 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 Watkins | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KMPX Minneapolis, MN | 52 mi southeast | 3,800 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KDLH Duluth, MN | 149 mi northeast | 18,000 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KFSD Sioux Falls, SD | 165 mi southwest | 21,300 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 Watkins
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 87 tornadoes within 25 miles of Watkins, 12 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in June and July. The strongest was an F3 on September 3, 1980, which passed about 17 miles north-northeast of town and caused 1 death. The most recent was an EF0 on May 15, 2025, which touched down about 23 miles northwest of town.
Hail: 370 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 54 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.25-inch hail on July 1, 2011.
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 Watkins'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.
Watkins radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Watkins, MN?
KMPX (Minneapolis, MN), about 52 miles southeast. KDLH (Duluth, MN) is 149 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Watkins?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Watkins the lowest scan from KMPX is about 3,800 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Watkins 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 Watkins, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Eden Valley, MN radar 7 mi
- Cold Spring, MN radar 10 mi
- Richmond, MN radar 11 mi
- Rockville, MN radar 11 mi
- St. Augusta, MN radar 14 mi
- Litchfield, MN radar 14 mi
- Annandale, MN radar 15 mi
- Paynesville, MN radar 16 mi
- Waite Park, MN radar 16 mi
- Dassel, MN radar 17 mi