West Lafayette, IN Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for West Lafayette, Tippecanoe County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits West 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 West 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 West Lafayette get?
A normal year brings about 19 inches of snow to West Lafayette, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the W Lafayette 6 Nw weather station 4.2 miles away. The snowiest month is usually January (5.9 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.0 | 0.9 | 4.2 | 5.9 | 5.2 | 2.3 | 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 West Lafayette?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KIND (Indianapolis, IN), about 61 miles 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 West Lafayette | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KIND Indianapolis, IN | 61 mi southeast | 4,700 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 | 100 mi northwest | 9,700 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
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 West Lafayette
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 120 tornadoes within 25 miles of West Lafayette, 37 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in June and April. The strongest was an F4 on April 3, 1974, which passed about 10 miles northwest of town and caused 18 deaths. The most recent was an EF0 on June 18, 2025, which touched down about 8 miles west-southwest of town.
Hail: 214 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 17 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.25-inch hail on June 14, 2010.
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 West 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.
West Lafayette radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to West Lafayette, IN?
KIND (Indianapolis, IN), about 61 miles southeast. KIWX (Fort Wayne, IN) is 90 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in West Lafayette?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over West Lafayette the lowest scan from KIND is about 4,700 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for West 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 West Lafayette, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
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- Dayton, IN radar 9 mi
- Brookston, IN radar 11 mi
- Mulberry, IN radar 15 mi
- Delphi, IN radar 17 mi
- Rossville, IN radar 17 mi
- Oxford, IN radar 18 mi