Amherst, WI Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Amherst, Portage County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Amherst?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged heavy snow or a winter storm on 82 days in the Portage forecast zone and Portage County — the most common reported hazard around Amherst, mostly in December and February. Next come damaging thunderstorm winds (82 days) and extreme cold & wind chill (15 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 82 | Mar 2026 | — |
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 82 | Jun 2026 | Jun 11, 2001 · $4.6 million damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 15 | Jan 2026 | — |
| Excessive heat | 10 | Jun 2026 | — |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 10 | Sep 2016 | Sep 20, 2016 · $10,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 8 | Aug 2021 | Sep 23, 2010 · $700,000 damage |
| Ice storms & sleet | 7 | Apr 2026 | — |
| Flooding | 7 | Mar 2019 | Mar 15, 2019 · $105,000 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 Portage forecast zone and Portage County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Amherst get?
A normal year brings about 49 inches of snow to Amherst, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Waupaca weather station 12.7 miles away. The snowiest month is usually December (12.3 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.3 | 2.1 | 12.3 | 10.9 | 11.9 | 7.0 | 4.7 | 0.1 |
Normal snowfall in inches. TALON Pro compares this season's snow at your location with these normals as winter goes on.
Which radars cover Amherst?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KGRB (Green Bay, WI), about 58 miles east. 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 Amherst | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KGRB Green Bay, WI | 58 mi east | 4,300 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KARX La Crosse, WI | 104 mi west-southwest | 10,200 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KMKX Milwaukee/Sullivan, WI | 109 mi south-southeast | 10,900 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 Amherst
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 59 tornadoes within 25 miles of Amherst, 18 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in June and July. The strongest was an F4 on September 26, 1951, which passed about 7 miles south-southeast of town and caused 6 deaths. The most recent was an EF0 on July 23, 2025, which passed about 13 miles north-northeast of town.
Hail: 147 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 5 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 3.00-inch hail on May 22, 2011.
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 Amherst'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.
Amherst radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Amherst, WI?
KGRB (Green Bay, WI), about 58 miles east. KARX (La Crosse, WI) is 104 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Amherst?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Amherst the lowest scan from KGRB is about 4,300 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Amherst 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 Amherst, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Iola, WI radar 9 mi
- Waupaca, WI radar 12 mi
- Plover, WI radar 13 mi
- Whiting, WI radar 14 mi
- Stevens Point, WI radar 14 mi
- Manawa, WI radar 18 mi
- Weyauwega, WI radar 19 mi
- Marion, WI radar 24 mi
- Wautoma, WI radar 26 mi
- New London, WI radar 27 mi