Wheeler, IN Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Wheeler, Porter County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Wheeler?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 116 days in the Porter forecast zone and Porter County — the most common reported hazard around Wheeler, mostly in July and June. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (63 days) and flooding (28 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 116 | Jun 2026 | Jun 11, 2026 · 2 deaths |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 63 | Jan 2026 | Dec 11, 2010 · $75,000 damage |
| Flooding | 28 | Jun 2026 | Aug 24, 2007 · 2 deaths · $25,000 damage |
| High winds | 26 | Apr 2026 | Oct 26, 2010 · $50,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 21 | May 2021 | Sep 14, 2008 · 2 deaths · $2.0 million damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 16 | Jan 2026 | — |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 15 | Aug 2012 | Aug 15, 2007 · $50,000 damage |
| Excessive heat | 8 | Jun 2026 | — |
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 Porter forecast zone and Porter County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Wheeler get?
A normal year brings about 40 inches of snow to Wheeler, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Valparaiso Wtr Wks weather station 6.9 miles away. The snowiest month is usually January (14.6 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.3 | 2.3 | 9.4 | 14.6 | 5.5 | 6.7 | 1.2 | 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 Wheeler?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KLOT (Chicago, IL), about 48 miles west. 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 Wheeler | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KLOT Chicago, IL | 48 mi west | 3,300 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KIWX Fort Wayne, IN | 77 mi east | 6,500 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KMKX Milwaukee/Sullivan, WI | 123 mi northwest | 13,200 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 Wheeler
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 111 tornadoes within 25 miles of Wheeler, 25 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in June and March. The strongest was an F4 on April 21, 1967, which passed about 25 miles northwest of town and caused 33 deaths. The most recent was an EF1 on March 19, 2025, which touched down about 24 miles west of town.
Hail: 244 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 17 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 3.50-inch hail on May 7, 2024.
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 Wheeler'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.
Wheeler radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Wheeler, IN?
KLOT (Chicago, IL), about 48 miles west. KIWX (Fort Wayne, IN) is 77 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Wheeler?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Wheeler the lowest scan from KLOT is about 3,300 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Wheeler 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 Wheeler, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Hobart, IN radar 5 mi
- Portage, IN radar 6 mi
- New Chicago, IN radar 6 mi
- Lake Station, IN radar 6 mi
- Valparaiso, IN radar 7 mi
- Burns Harbor, IN radar 8 mi
- Merrillville, IN radar 8 mi
- Ogden Dunes, IN radar 8 mi
- Winfield, IN radar 8 mi
- Chesterton, IN radar 9 mi