Chico, TX Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Chico, Wise County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Chico?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 120 days in the Wise forecast zone and Wise County — the most common reported hazard around Chico, mostly in May and June. Next come excessive heat (54 days) and flash flooding (48 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 120 | Apr 2026 | May 28, 2021 · $500,000 damage |
| Excessive heat | 54 | Jun 2026 | Jul 1, 2011 · 2 deaths |
| Flash flooding | 48 | Oct 2025 | Mar 7, 2016 · $500,000 damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 27 | Jan 2026 | Dec 5, 2013 · $2.0 million damage |
| Flooding | 14 | Apr 2024 | Mar 7, 2016 · $200,000 damage |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 14 | Mar 2024 | Aug 6, 2012 · $200,000 damage |
| Wildfires | 11 | Dec 2016 | Jan 29, 2008 · $1.0 million damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 8 | Jan 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 Wise forecast zone and Wise County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Chico get?
A normal year brings about 1.8 inches of snow to Chico, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Bridgeport weather station 6.3 miles away. The snowiest month is usually January (0.6 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.0 | 0.3 | 0.2 | 0.6 | 0.5 | 0.0 | 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 Chico?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KFWS (Dallas/Fort Worth, TX), about 58 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 Chico | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KFWS Dallas/Fort Worth, TX | 58 mi south-southeast | 4,300 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KDYX Dyess AFB, TX | 99 mi west-southwest | 9,500 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KFDR Frederick, OK | 100 mi northwest | 9,600 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 Chico
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 109 tornadoes within 25 miles of Chico, 18 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in May and April. The strongest was an EF3 on May 25, 2024, which passed about 16 miles north of town and caused 7 deaths. The most recent was an EF0 on April 19, 2025, which touched down about 19 miles west-southwest of town.
Hail: 583 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 81 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.50-inch hail on April 1, 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 Chico'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.
Chico radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Chico, TX?
KFWS (Dallas/Fort Worth, TX), about 58 miles south-southeast. KDYX (Dyess AFB, TX) is 99 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Chico?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Chico the lowest scan from KFWS is about 4,300 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Chico 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 Chico, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Bridgeport, TX radar 6 mi
- Alvord, TX radar 7 mi
- Runaway Bay, TX radar 9 mi
- Decatur, TX radar 13 mi
- Bowie, TX radar 18 mi
- Boyd, TX radar 20 mi
- Jacksboro, TX radar 21 mi
- Rhome, TX radar 23 mi
- Aurora, TX radar 24 mi
- Springtown, TX radar 24 mi