Big Bend, WI Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Big Bend, Waukesha County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Big Bend?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 149 days in the Waukesha forecast zone and Waukesha County — the most common reported hazard around Big Bend, mostly in June and July. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (62 days) and lightning casualties & damage (45 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 149 | Jun 2026 | May 31, 1998 · $6.8 million damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 62 | Nov 2025 | Jan 12, 2024 · $80,000 damage |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 45 | Apr 2026 | Apr 15, 2026 · 1 death |
| Excessive heat | 42 | Jun 2026 | Jul 29, 1999 · 1 death |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 34 | Jan 2026 | Feb 5, 2007 · $3,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 32 | Apr 2026 | Aug 6, 1998 · 2 deaths · $17 million damage |
| Flooding | 25 | Apr 2026 | Jun 1, 2004 · $6.0 million damage |
| High winds | 15 | Mar 2026 | Nov 10, 1998 · $1.1 million 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 Waukesha forecast zone and Waukesha County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Big Bend get?
A normal year brings about 37 inches of snow to Big Bend, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Waukesha Wwtp weather station 8.8 miles away. The snowiest month is usually January (10.4 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.1 | 1.8 | 8.8 | 10.4 | 10.1 | 4.6 | 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 Big Bend?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KMKX (Milwaukee/Sullivan, WI), about 18 miles west-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 Big Bend | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KMKX Milwaukee/Sullivan, WI | 18 mi west-northwest | 1,000 ft | Excellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground |
| KLOT Chicago, IL | 89 mi south | 8,000 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KGRB Green Bay, WI | 112 mi north | 11,400 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 Big Bend
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 104 tornadoes within 25 miles of Big Bend, 25 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in June and July. The strongest was an F4 on April 27, 1984, which passed about 10 miles northwest of town and caused 1 death. The most recent was an EF1 on June 22, 2024, which passed about 24 miles southwest of town.
Hail: 404 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 35 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.00-inch hail on June 23, 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 Big Bend'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.
Big Bend radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Big Bend, WI?
KMKX (Milwaukee/Sullivan, WI), about 18 miles west-northwest. KLOT (Chicago, IL) is 89 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Big Bend?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Big Bend the lowest scan from KMKX is about 1,000 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Big Bend 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 Big Bend, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Vernon, WI radar 3 mi
- Muskego, WI radar 4 mi
- Waukesha, WI radar 6 mi
- Mukwonago, WI radar 6 mi
- New Berlin, WI radar 7 mi
- Waterford, WI radar 8 mi
- Hales Corners, WI radar 9 mi
- Waukesha, WI radar 9 mi
- Franklin, WI radar 10 mi
- Rochester, WI radar 11 mi