Willow River, MN Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Willow River, Pine County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Willow River?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged heavy snow or a winter storm on 88 days in the Pine forecast zone and Pine County — the most common reported hazard around Willow River, mostly in December and March. Next come damaging thunderstorm winds (58 days) and extreme cold & wind chill (21 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 88 | Apr 2026 | Dec 31, 2006 · 1 death |
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 58 | Jun 2026 | Jul 1, 2011 · $500,000 damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 21 | Jan 2026 | — |
| Flash flooding | 10 | Sep 2019 | — |
| Ice storms & sleet | 5 | Apr 2023 | — |
| Flooding | 4 | Oct 2017 | Apr 6, 2001 · $1.4 million damage |
| Excessive heat | 2 | Jul 2016 | — |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 2 | Aug 2020 | Aug 26, 2013 · 1 death |
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 Pine forecast zone and Pine County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Willow River get?
A normal year brings about 64 inches of snow to Willow River, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Bruno 7Ene weather station 14.2 miles away. The snowiest month is usually December (14.1 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.6 | 10.4 | 14.1 | 10.6 | 11.2 | 10.2 | 5.7 | 0.5 |
Normal snowfall in inches. TALON Pro compares this season's snow at your location with these normals as winter goes on.
Which radars cover Willow River?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KDLH (Duluth, MN), about 46 miles northeast. 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 Willow River | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KDLH Duluth, MN | 46 mi northeast | 3,200 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KMPX Minneapolis, MN | 108 mi south-southwest | 10,800 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KARX La Crosse, WI | 190 mi south-southeast | 26,900 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 Willow River
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 17 tornadoes within 25 miles of Willow River, 3 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in June and July. The strongest was an F3 on June 30, 1968, which touched down about 14 miles southwest of town. The most recent was an EF0 on June 12, 2024, which passed about 25 miles north of town.
Hail: 116 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 12 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 5.00-inch hail on June 13, 1956.
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 Willow River'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.
Willow River radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Willow River, MN?
KDLH (Duluth, MN), about 46 miles northeast. KMPX (Minneapolis, MN) is 108 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Willow River?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Willow River the lowest scan from KDLH is about 3,200 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Willow River 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 Willow River, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Moose Lake, MN radar 9 mi
- Sandstone, MN radar 14 mi
- Hinckley, MN radar 22 mi
- Cloquet, MN radar 32 mi
- Pine City, MN radar 34 mi
- Mora, MN radar 38 mi
- Rock Creek, MN radar 39 mi
- Proctor, MN radar 41 mi
- Hermantown, MN radar 43 mi
- Aitkin, MN radar 44 mi