Bell Center, WI Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Bell Center, Crawford County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Bell Center?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged heavy snow or a winter storm on 65 days in the Crawford forecast zone and Crawford County — the most common reported hazard around Bell Center, mostly in January and February. Next come damaging thunderstorm winds (60 days) and flooding (54 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 65 | Mar 2026 | — |
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 60 | Sep 2024 | Jun 27, 1998 · $220,000 damage |
| Flooding | 54 | Jul 2024 | May 30, 2017 · 1 death · $50,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 31 | Jun 2024 | Aug 18, 2007 · $20 million damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 18 | Jan 2026 | — |
| Excessive heat | 16 | Jun 2026 | Jul 17, 2011 · 1 death · $12,000 damage |
| High winds | 7 | Dec 2021 | Nov 10, 1998 · $125,000 damage |
| Ice storms & sleet | 5 | Mar 2009 | — |
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 Crawford forecast zone and Crawford County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Bell Center get?
A normal year brings about 38 inches of snow to Bell Center, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Gays Mills weather station 1.9 miles away. The snowiest month is usually January (10.8 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.1 | 1.9 | 9.7 | 10.8 | 7.8 | 5.9 | 1.6 | 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 Bell Center?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KARX (La Crosse, WI), about 41 miles north-northwest. 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 Bell Center | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KARX La Crosse, WI | 41 mi north-northwest | 2,700 ft | Excellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground |
| KDVN Quad Cities, IA | 117 mi south | 12,200 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KMKX Milwaukee/Sullivan, WI | 117 mi east | 12,200 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 Bell Center
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 51 tornadoes within 25 miles of Bell Center, 12 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in June and May. The strongest was an F4 on April 30, 1954, which passed about 19 miles west-southwest of town. The most recent was an EF0 on September 22, 2025, which touched down about 5 miles west-northwest of town.
Hail: 165 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 11 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 2.75-inch hail on September 24, 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 Bell Center'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.
Bell Center radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Bell Center, WI?
KARX (La Crosse, WI), about 41 miles north-northwest. KDVN (Quad Cities, IA) is 117 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Bell Center?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Bell Center the lowest scan from KARX is about 2,700 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Bell Center 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 Bell Center, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Boscobel, WI radar 12 mi
- Viroqua, WI radar 19 mi
- Muscoda, WI radar 21 mi
- Richland Center, WI radar 22 mi
- Prairie du Chien, WI radar 23 mi
- Fennimore, WI radar 23 mi
- Westby, WI radar 25 mi
- Cashton, WI radar 31 mi
- Lancaster, WI radar 31 mi
- Hillsboro, WI radar 35 mi