Birchwood, WI Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Birchwood, Washburn County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Birchwood?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged heavy snow or a winter storm on 86 days in the Washburn forecast zone and Washburn County — the most common reported hazard around Birchwood, mostly in December and March. Next come damaging thunderstorm winds (53 days) and extreme cold & wind chill (16 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 86 | Mar 2026 | — |
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 53 | Apr 2026 | Jul 19, 2011 · $30,000 damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 16 | Jan 2026 | — |
| Ice storms & sleet | 5 | Apr 2026 | — |
| Flash flooding | 4 | Jul 2025 | Jul 4, 2025 · $200,000 damage |
| Excessive heat | 2 | Jul 2016 | — |
| Flooding | 2 | Apr 2023 | Apr 12, 2023 · $30,000 damage |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 1 | Jul 2002 | Jul 21, 2002 · 1 death |
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 Washburn forecast zone and Washburn County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Birchwood get?
A normal year brings about 67 inches of snow to Birchwood, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Couderay 7 W weather station 10.8 miles away. The snowiest month is usually February (15.6 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.3 | 6.5 | 14.2 | 11.3 | 15.6 | 12.2 | 6.0 | 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 Birchwood?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KDLH (Duluth, MN), about 87 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 Birchwood | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KDLH Duluth, MN | 87 mi north-northwest | 7,800 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KMPX Minneapolis, MN | 113 mi west-southwest | 11,600 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KARX La Crosse, WI | 128 mi south | 14,100 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 Birchwood
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 38 tornadoes within 25 miles of Birchwood, 15 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in June and July. The strongest was an F3 on June 18, 2001, which passed about 23 miles west-northwest of town and caused 2 deaths. The most recent was an EF0 on June 24, 2021, which touched down about 21 miles southeast of town.
Hail: 194 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 34 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 3.50-inch hail on July 23, 1965.
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 Birchwood'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.
Birchwood radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Birchwood, WI?
KDLH (Duluth, MN), about 87 miles north-northwest. KMPX (Minneapolis, MN) is 113 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Birchwood?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Birchwood the lowest scan from KDLH is about 7,800 ft up, so light snow from shallow clouds can be under-shown — check NWS winter alerts too.
Is TALON's radar for Birchwood 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 Birchwood, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
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- Shell Lake, WI radar 18 mi
- Cameron, WI radar 20 mi
- Spooner, WI radar 20 mi
- Barron, WI radar 23 mi
- Chetek, WI radar 24 mi
- Hayward, WI radar 24 mi
- Cumberland, WI radar 24 mi
- Ladysmith, WI radar 26 mi
- Turtle Lake, WI radar 34 mi