Lafayette, IN Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Lafayette, Tippecanoe County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Lafayette?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 142 days in the Tippecanoe forecast zone and Tippecanoe County — the most common reported hazard around Lafayette, mostly in June and July. Next come flooding (99 days) and heavy snow & winter storms (37 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 142 | Jun 2026 | Jun 21, 2011 · 1 death · $10,000 damage |
| Flooding | 99 | Jun 2019 | Jul 5, 2003 · $10 million damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 37 | Jan 2026 | Jan 30, 2021 · $75,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 21 | Jun 2019 | Jun 12, 2004 · $450,000 damage |
| High winds | 11 | Mar 2026 | — |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 7 | Jan 2026 | — |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 4 | Jun 2008 | Jun 25, 2008 · $10,000 damage |
| Ice storms & sleet | 3 | Dec 2007 | — |
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 Tippecanoe forecast zone and Tippecanoe County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Lafayette get?
A normal year brings about 21 inches of snow to Lafayette, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Lafayette 8 S weather station 7.4 miles away. The snowiest month is usually January (6.6 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.0 | 0.6 | 4.0 | 6.6 | 5.8 | 3.1 | 0.4 | 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 Lafayette?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KIND (Indianapolis, IN), about 57 miles south-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 Lafayette | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KIND Indianapolis, IN | 57 mi south-southeast | 4,200 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KIWX Fort Wayne, IN | 90 mi northeast | 8,200 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KLOT Chicago, IL | 105 mi northwest | 10,300 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 Lafayette
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 127 tornadoes within 25 miles of Lafayette, 41 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in June and April. The strongest was an F4 on April 3, 1974, which passed about 14 miles northwest of town and caused 18 deaths. The most recent was an EF0 on June 18, 2025, which touched down about 10 miles west of town.
Hail: 216 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 15 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.00-inch hail on June 25, 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 Lafayette'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.
Lafayette radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Lafayette, IN?
KIND (Indianapolis, IN), about 57 miles south-southeast. KIWX (Fort Wayne, IN) is 90 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Lafayette?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Lafayette the lowest scan from KIND is about 4,200 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Lafayette 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 Lafayette, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- West Lafayette, IN radar 4 mi
- Dayton, IN radar 5 mi
- Shadeland, IN radar 7 mi
- Battle Ground, IN radar 7 mi
- Mulberry, IN radar 11 mi
- Otterbein, IN radar 13 mi
- Brookston, IN radar 14 mi
- Rossville, IN radar 14 mi
- Delphi, IN radar 16 mi
- Frankfort, IN radar 20 mi