Lafayette, OH Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Lafayette, Madison 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 97 days in the Madison forecast zone and Madison County — the most common reported hazard around Lafayette, mostly in June and May. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (37 days) and flooding (22 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 97 | Jun 2026 | Jun 29, 2012 · $50,000 damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 37 | Jan 2026 | Jan 6, 1996 · $500,000 damage |
| Flooding | 22 | May 2026 | Jan 5, 2005 · $20,000 damage |
| High winds | 16 | Mar 2026 | Feb 11, 2009 · 1 death |
| Flash flooding | 9 | Mar 2020 | Jun 29, 1998 · $100,000 damage |
| Ice storms & sleet | 6 | Nov 2018 | — |
| Excessive heat | 5 | Jul 2019 | — |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 3 | Dec 2022 | Feb 1, 1996 · $20,000 damage |
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 Madison forecast zone and Madison County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Lafayette get?
A normal year brings about 20 inches of snow to Lafayette, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Sedalia weather station 14.8 miles away. The snowiest month is usually January (6.7 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.2 | 0.3 | 3.3 | 6.7 | 5.9 | 3.8 | 0.2 | 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 Lafayette?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KILN (Wilmington, OH), about 42 miles south-southwest. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| KILN Wilmington, OH | 42 mi south-southwest | 2,800 ft | Excellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground |
| KCLE Cleveland, OH | 130 mi northeast | 14,400 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KRLX Charleston, WV | 144 mi southeast | 17,100 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 84 tornadoes within 25 miles of Lafayette, 15 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in April and May. The strongest was an F5 on April 3, 1974, which passed about 10 miles west of town and caused 36 deaths. The most recent was an EF1 on July 19, 2025, which touched down about 18 miles west-northwest of town.
Hail: 228 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 15 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 3.00-inch hail on August 10, 1984.
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, OH?
KILN (Wilmington, OH), about 42 miles south-southwest. KCLE (Cleveland, OH) is 130 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 KILN is about 2,800 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
- London, OH radar 4 mi
- West Jefferson, OH radar 5 mi
- Mechanicsburg, OH radar 12 mi
- Plain City, OH radar 13 mi
- Hilliard, OH radar 15 mi
- South Charleston, OH radar 15 mi
- Grove City, OH radar 17 mi
- Urbancrest, OH radar 17 mi
- Mount Sterling, OH radar 17 mi
- Dublin, OH radar 18 mi