St. Paul Weather Radar

St. Paul Live Weather

St. Paul Live Weather Radar

Click to toggle between the St. Paul cloud cover radar map and the St. Paul precipitation radar map.

St. Paul Hourly Weather Forecast

St. Paul 7-Day Weather Forecast

St. Paul Weather Overview

The St. Paul weather radar is essential in a city where winter blizzards, Arctic cold, and fast summer storms all collide along the Mississippi River. St. Paul has a humid continental climate, averages 29.2 inches of precipitation yearly, and sees mean January lows near 8.6°F at nearby Holman Field. That mix makes the radar useful in every season, not just during headline storms.

From November through March, the St. Paul weather radar tracks Alberta clippers, heavy snow bands, and dangerous cold fronts moving across the Twin Cities. The 1991 Halloween Blizzard buried the metro under more than 28 inches of snow, still the biggest storm many locals measure every winter against. St. Paul also reaches weather extremes fast: the record high is 104°F, while the record low is -41°F. When the NWS Twin Cities office issues winter storm or wind chill alerts, checking radar timing can help you avoid the worst roads and whiteout conditions.

Spring and summer shift the focus from snow to severe thunderstorms, flash flooding, and occasional tornado risk. St. Paul's wettest months are June and August, and slow-moving storms can quickly soak I-94, downtown streets, and riverfront areas. The St. Paul weather radar helps you see whether the heaviest cells are sliding toward Lowertown, Highland Park, or the east metro before you head out.

St. Paul Weather Risks & Safety

Key weather hazards to monitor on the St. Paul weather radar

Blizzard & Heavy Snow Risk

St. Paul gets hit by blizzards when Arctic air combines with moisture — 12+ inches of snow, 35+ mph winds, near-zero visibility. On the radar you can watch the storm bands approach and figure out exactly when the worst will arrive. That timing matters: get your errands done before the bands reach you, and be ready for power outages and road closures that can last days.

Extreme Cold & Wind Chill Risk

When Arctic air drops into St. Paul, temperatures plunge well below zero and wind chill values become dangerous — frostbite can set in within minutes of exposed skin. On the radar, watch for the approaching cold front and any precipitation behind it that could freeze on contact. Before it hits: insulate your pipes, stock up on heating fuel, and plan to stay indoors. Wind chill advisories in St. Paul mean business.

Severe Thunderstorm Risk

Severe thunderstorms roll through St. Paul regularly, especially spring through early fall. Expect damaging winds above 58 mph, large hail, and dangerous lightning. The radar shows you each storm cell's position, movement, and intensity — so you can tell if one is headed your way. When a thunderstorm warning drops for St. Paul, get indoors and away from windows until it passes.

Tornado Risk

Tornadoes hit St. Paul hardest in spring and early summer, when warm Gulf air slams into cooler northern fronts. Supercell thunderstorms can spin up EF2+ tornadoes with very little lead time. On radar, rotation signatures inside storm cells give you a few critical minutes to reach shelter. St. Paul averages several tornado warnings per year — know where your safe room or interior closet is before you need it.

How to Use St. Paul Weather Radar

Follow these steps to get the most from the St. Paul weather radar data.

Check Current Conditions

Look at the live weather bar first for temperature, wind, humidity, and conditions in St. Paul before you make travel or outdoor plans.

Watch the Radar Animation

Play the St. Paul weather radar loop to see whether snow bands, thunderstorms, or heavier rain are moving toward downtown, Lowertown, or the east metro.

Review the Forecast

Scroll down to the hourly and 7-day forecast to time winter storm arrivals, summer storm chances, and the sharp cold swings common across the Twin Cities.

Plan Around the Worst Weather

If blizzard bands or severe cells are lining up, finish errands early and avoid roads once warnings or dangerous wind chills start stacking up.

Who Benefits from St. Paul Weather Radar

How different people use the St. Paul radar data

Commuters & Drivers

I-94 and I-35E drivers can track snow bands, icy rain, and storm timing before crossing downtown St. Paul.

Outdoor Enthusiasts

Mississippi River trail runners and Como Park visitors can spot incoming thunderstorms before heading out.

Event Planners & Families

CHS Field and Allianz Field visitors can time rain, lightning, or snow before event start.

Outdoor Workers

Delivery drivers and construction crews can watch for blizzards, hail, and dangerous wind chills across the east metro.

St. Paul Weather FAQ

Common questions about St. Paul weather patterns and radar

When is blizzard season in St. Paul?

Blizzard season in St. Paul usually runs from November through March, with the heaviest snow threats peaking in January and February. Using 1991-2020 NOAA normals from St. Paul Downtown Airport, the city averages several months of measurable snowfall and about 29.2 inches of total annual precipitation. The biggest benchmark remains the Halloween Blizzard of 1991, when the Twin Cities picked up more than 28 inches of snow and travel was wrecked for days.

How cold does St. Paul get in winter?

St. Paul gets very cold in winter. At St. Paul Downtown Airport, the 1991-2020 mean January low is 8.6°F, and the all-time record low is -41°F. Arctic outbreaks can push wind chills far below zero even when the radar looks quiet, especially behind strong cold fronts. If the Twin Cities forecast office issues wind chill alerts, treat them seriously and limit time outdoors.

Does St. Paul get tornadoes?

Yes. St. Paul sits in the same severe weather corridor as Minneapolis, so the metro can get tornado warnings from late spring through summer. The best-known historic outbreak was May 1965, when multiple violent tornadoes struck the broader Twin Cities region. Tornadoes are far less common than winter storms here, but radar still matters because supercells can spin up quickly along summer cold fronts.

How much precipitation does St. Paul receive each year?

St. Paul averages 29.2 inches of precipitation per year based on 1991-2020 NOAA normals for St. Paul Downtown Airport. The wettest stretch is late spring through summer, with June averaging 4.63 inches and August 4.10 inches. Heavy rain does not need to be tropical to cause problems here; repeated thunderstorms can quickly flood low spots near the Mississippi River and across the east metro.

What type of climate does St. Paul have?

St. Paul has a humid continental climate with long, snowy winters and warm, humid summers. Average daily temperatures range from 16.3°F in January to 73.3°F in July at Holman Field. That wide seasonal spread is why one radar page has to cover everything from freezing drizzle and blizzards to hail, lightning, and flash flooding in the same year.

How is this different from WCCO or KARE 11 weather radar in St. Paul?

WCCO and KARE 11 combine Twin Cities radar with live meteorologist coverage, on-air cut-ins, and local storm reporting, which is useful during major weather events. This page is a lighter, ad-free alternative focused on interactive radar maps, current conditions, and hourly through 7-day forecast data for St. Paul. If you want fast radar access without video autoplay, this is the simpler tool to keep bookmarked.