Winthrop, MN Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Winthrop, Sibley County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Winthrop?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged heavy snow or a winter storm on 86 days in the Sibley forecast zone and Sibley County — the most common reported hazard around Winthrop, mostly in March and December. Next come damaging thunderstorm winds (53 days) and extreme cold & wind chill (26 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 86 | Feb 2026 | — |
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 53 | Jul 2025 | May 24, 2016 · 1 death |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 26 | Jan 2026 | — |
| Blizzards | 21 | Mar 2026 | — |
| High winds | 15 | Mar 2026 | — |
| Flooding | 14 | Jun 2024 | Jun 18, 2014 · $3.9 million damage |
| Excessive heat | 13 | Aug 2023 | — |
| Flash flooding | 9 | Jun 2024 | — |
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 Sibley forecast zone and Sibley County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Winthrop get?
A normal year brings about 50 inches of snow to Winthrop, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Brownton Wwtp weather station 13.3 miles away. The snowiest month is usually December (12.2 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.8 | 3.6 | 12.2 | 6.9 | 11.8 | 7.6 | 7.0 | 0.1 |
Normal snowfall in inches. TALON Pro compares this season's snow at your location with these normals as winter goes on.
Which radars cover Winthrop?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KMPX (Minneapolis, MN), about 44 miles east-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 Winthrop | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KMPX Minneapolis, MN | 44 mi east-northeast | 3,000 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KFSD Sioux Falls, SD | 135 mi west-southwest | 15,300 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KARX La Crosse, WI | 165 mi east-southeast | 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 Winthrop
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 106 tornadoes within 25 miles of Winthrop, 13 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in June and July. The strongest was an F4 on June 19, 1951, which passed about 23 miles north of town and caused 1 death. The most recent was an EF0 on September 4, 2025, which passed about 9 miles south-southeast of town.
Hail: 290 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 35 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.50-inch hail on March 29, 1998.
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 Winthrop'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.
Winthrop radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Winthrop, MN?
KMPX (Minneapolis, MN), about 44 miles east-northeast. KFSD (Sioux Falls, SD) is 135 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Winthrop?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Winthrop the lowest scan from KMPX is about 3,000 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Winthrop 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 Winthrop, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Gaylord, MN radar 7 mi
- Arlington, MN radar 15 mi
- New Ulm, MN radar 17 mi
- Fairfax, MN radar 18 mi
- Glencoe, MN radar 19 mi
- Nicollet, MN radar 20 mi
- Le Sueur, MN radar 23 mi
- Hutchinson, MN radar 24 mi
- St. Peter, MN radar 24 mi
- Sleepy Eye, MN radar 25 mi