Willmar, MN Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Willmar, Kandiyohi County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Willmar?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged heavy snow or a winter storm on 80 days in the Kandiyohi forecast zone and Kandiyohi County — the most common reported hazard around Willmar, mostly in March and December. Next come damaging thunderstorm winds (70 days) and extreme cold & wind chill (36 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 80 | Mar 2026 | — |
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 70 | Jun 2026 | May 12, 2022 · 1 death |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 36 | Jan 2026 | — |
| Blizzards | 30 | Dec 2025 | — |
| High winds | 14 | Mar 2026 | — |
| Excessive heat | 12 | Aug 2023 | Jul 23, 1999 · 1 death |
| Flash flooding | 9 | Aug 2016 | Aug 10, 2016 · $250,000 damage |
| Flooding | 6 | Aug 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 Kandiyohi forecast zone and Kandiyohi County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Willmar get?
A normal year brings about 46 inches of snow to Willmar, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Willmar Wwtp weather station 1.4 miles away. The snowiest month is usually December (10.1 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.5 | 7.8 | 10.1 | 9.2 | 7.8 | 6.9 | 3.8 | 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 Willmar?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KMPX (Minneapolis, MN), about 75 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 Willmar | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KMPX Minneapolis, MN | 75 mi east-southeast | 6,300 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KFSD Sioux Falls, SD | 134 mi southwest | 15,200 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KABR Aberdeen, SD | 165 mi west | 21,200 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 Willmar
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 99 tornadoes within 25 miles of Willmar, 4 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in June and May. The strongest was an EF3 on July 11, 2008, which passed about 3 miles south of town. The most recent was an EF0 on July 15, 2024, which touched down about 15 miles west-southwest of town.
Hail: 228 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 38 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 3.25-inch hail on July 13, 2023.
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 Willmar'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.
Willmar radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Willmar, MN?
KMPX (Minneapolis, MN), about 75 miles east-southeast. KFSD (Sioux Falls, SD) is 134 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Willmar?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Willmar the lowest scan from KMPX is about 6,300 ft up, so light snow from shallow clouds can be under-shown — check NWS winter alerts too.
Is TALON's radar for Willmar 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 Willmar, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
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