Arlington, WI Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Arlington, Columbia County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Arlington?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 111 days in the Columbia forecast zone and Columbia County — the most common reported hazard around Arlington, mostly in June and July. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (61 days) and flooding (45 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 111 | Jun 2026 | May 31, 1998 · $3.8 million damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 61 | Nov 2025 | Dec 1, 2007 · 3 deaths |
| Flooding | 45 | Apr 2026 | Jun 1, 2004 · $24 million damage |
| Excessive heat | 40 | Jun 2026 | Jul 2, 2012 · 2 deaths |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 38 | Jan 2026 | Feb 4, 2016 · 1 death |
| Flash flooding | 22 | Jul 2024 | Jun 8, 2008 · $56 million damage |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 10 | Aug 2018 | Jun 26, 2002 · $100,000 damage |
| Blizzards | 6 | Mar 2026 | Feb 1, 2011 · $10,000 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 Columbia forecast zone and Columbia County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Arlington get?
A normal year brings about 43 inches of snow to Arlington, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Arlington weather station 2.5 miles away. The snowiest month is usually February (11.2 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.3 | 2.4 | 10.7 | 10.7 | 11.2 | 5.3 | 1.9 | 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 Arlington?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KMKX (Milwaukee/Sullivan, WI), about 49 miles east-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 Arlington | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KMKX Milwaukee/Sullivan, WI | 49 mi east-southeast | 3,400 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KARX La Crosse, WI | 97 mi west-northwest | 9,200 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KGRB Green Bay, WI | 102 mi northeast | 9,900 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 Arlington
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 117 tornadoes within 25 miles of Arlington, 29 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in June and July. The strongest was an F5 on June 7, 1984, which passed about 8 miles west-southwest of town and caused 9 deaths. The most recent was an EF0 on July 16, 2025, which passed about 17 miles west-southwest of town.
Hail: 370 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 40 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.00-inch hail on July 2, 1960.
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 Arlington'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.
Arlington radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Arlington, WI?
KMKX (Milwaukee/Sullivan, WI), about 49 miles east-southeast. KARX (La Crosse, WI) is 97 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Arlington?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Arlington the lowest scan from KMKX is about 3,400 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Arlington 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 Arlington, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Poynette, WI radar 4 mi
- DeForest, WI radar 8 mi
- Windsor, WI radar 8 mi
- Lodi, WI radar 9 mi
- Dane, WI radar 9 mi
- Rio, WI radar 10 mi
- Waunakee, WI radar 11 mi
- Sun Prairie, WI radar 13 mi
- Pardeeville, WI radar 14 mi
- Maple Bluff, WI radar 15 mi