Benton, WI Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Benton, Lafayette County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Benton?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 96 days in the Lafayette forecast zone and Lafayette County — the most common reported hazard around Benton, mostly in June and July. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (46 days) and excessive heat (44 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 96 | Jun 2026 | Jul 11, 2011 · $1.2 million damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 46 | Nov 2025 | Apr 11, 2007 · $10,000 damage |
| Excessive heat | 44 | Jun 2026 | — |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 38 | Jan 2026 | Jan 30, 1996 · 1 death |
| Flooding | 21 | Jul 2025 | Jun 1, 2004 · $1.5 million damage |
| Flash flooding | 19 | Jul 2024 | Jun 12, 2008 · $762,000 damage |
| High winds | 12 | Mar 2026 | Nov 10, 1998 · $410,000 damage |
| Blizzards | 7 | Mar 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 Lafayette forecast zone and Lafayette County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Benton get?
A normal year brings about 40 inches of snow to Benton, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Cuba City weather station 2.9 miles away. The snowiest month is usually February (11.5 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.5 | 1.7 | 10.1 | 10.0 | 11.5 | 4.7 | 1.1 | 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 Benton?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KDVN (Quad Cities, IA), about 67 miles south. 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 Benton | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KDVN Quad Cities, IA | 67 mi south | 5,300 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KARX La Crosse, WI | 96 mi north-northwest | 9,000 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KMKX Milwaukee/Sullivan, WI | 97 mi east-northeast | 9,200 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 Benton
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 103 tornadoes within 25 miles of Benton, 26 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in June and May. The strongest was an F3 on April 16, 1967, which passed about 23 miles east of town. The most recent was an EF2 on July 11, 2025, which touched down about 20 miles south-southwest of town.
Hail: 271 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 50 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.50-inch hail on August 19, 1994.
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 Benton'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.
Benton radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Benton, WI?
KDVN (Quad Cities, IA), about 67 miles south. KARX (La Crosse, WI) is 96 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Benton?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Benton the lowest scan from KDVN is about 5,300 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Benton 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 Benton, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Cuba City, WI radar 3 mi
- Hazel Green, WI radar 4 mi
- Shullsburg, WI radar 8 mi
- Dickeyville, WI radar 11 mi
- Platteville, WI radar 12 mi
- Belmont, WI radar 12 mi
- Darlington, WI radar 15 mi
- Mineral Point, WI radar 23 mi
- Lancaster, WI radar 25 mi
- Dodgeville, WI radar 30 mi