West St. Paul, MN Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for West St. Paul, Dakota County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits West St. Paul?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged heavy snow or a winter storm on 93 days in the Dakota forecast zone and Dakota County — the most common reported hazard around West St. Paul, mostly in March and February. Next come damaging thunderstorm winds (92 days) and extreme cold & wind chill (19 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 93 | Feb 2026 | — |
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 92 | Jul 2025 | May 30, 1998 · $140 million damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 19 | Jan 2026 | Jan 5, 2014 · 1 death |
| Flash flooding | 18 | Jul 2017 | Jul 7, 2000 · 1 death · $20 million damage |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 15 | Aug 2020 | Jul 24, 2006 · $1.0 million damage |
| Excessive heat | 14 | Aug 2023 | — |
| High winds | 11 | Dec 2021 | Oct 26, 2010 · $10,000 damage |
| Flooding | 10 | Mar 2019 | — |
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 Dakota forecast zone and Dakota County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does West St. Paul get?
A normal year brings about 51 inches of snow to West St. Paul, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Minneapolis/St Paul Ap weather station 7.2 miles away. The snowiest month is usually December (11.4 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.8 | 6.8 | 11.4 | 11.0 | 9.5 | 8.2 | 3.5 | 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 West St. Paul?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KMPX (Minneapolis, MN), about 24 miles west. 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 West St. Paul | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KMPX Minneapolis, MN | 24 mi west | 1,400 ft | Excellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground |
| KARX La Crosse, WI | 120 mi southeast | 12,700 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KDLH Duluth, MN | 140 mi north-northeast | 16,300 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 West St. Paul
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 105 tornadoes within 25 miles of West St. Paul, 23 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in July and May. The strongest was an F4 on May 6, 1965, which passed about 14 miles northwest of town and caused 6 deaths. The most recent was an EF0 on August 29, 2024, which passed about 22 miles southeast of town.
Hail: 921 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 102 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.50-inch hail on June 19, 1988.
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 West St. Paul'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.
West St. Paul radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to West St. Paul, MN?
KMPX (Minneapolis, MN), about 24 miles west. KARX (La Crosse, WI) is 120 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in West St. Paul?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over West St. Paul the lowest scan from KMPX is about 1,400 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for West St. Paul 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 West St. Paul, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.