Bancroft, WI Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Bancroft, Portage County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Bancroft?
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 Bancroft, 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 Bancroft get?
A normal year brings about 43 inches of snow to Bancroft, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Hancock Exp Farm weather station 13.2 miles away. The snowiest month is usually January (12.8 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.3 | 3.3 | 7.5 | 12.8 | 8.2 | 8.3 | 2.7 | 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 Bancroft?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KGRB (Green Bay, WI), about 70 miles east-northeast. 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 Bancroft | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KGRB Green Bay, WI | 70 mi east-northeast | 5,700 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KARX La Crosse, WI | 90 mi west-southwest | 8,200 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KMKX Milwaukee/Sullivan, WI | 104 mi south-southeast | 10,200 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 Bancroft
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 57 tornadoes within 25 miles of Bancroft, 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 10 miles east of town and caused 6 deaths. The most recent was an EF0 on May 15, 2025, which passed about 4 miles west of town.
Hail: 196 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 13 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 5.50-inch hail on June 7, 2007.
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 Bancroft'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.
Bancroft radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Bancroft, WI?
KGRB (Green Bay, WI), about 70 miles east-northeast. KARX (La Crosse, WI) is 90 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Bancroft?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Bancroft the lowest scan from KGRB is about 5,700 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Bancroft 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 Bancroft, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
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