Blue River, WI Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Blue River, Grant County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Blue River?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 104 days in the Grant forecast zone and Grant County — the most common reported hazard around Blue River, mostly in June and July. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (68 days) and flooding (48 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 104 | Jun 2026 | Jul 20, 2006 · 1 death · $1,000 damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 68 | Mar 2026 | Jan 20, 2012 · $10,000 damage |
| Flooding | 48 | Apr 2026 | May 1, 2001 · $2.2 million damage |
| Flash flooding | 46 | Aug 2025 | Jul 21, 2017 · $8.5 million damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 17 | Jan 2026 | — |
| Excessive heat | 13 | Jun 2026 | Jul 17, 2011 · $25,000 damage |
| High winds | 7 | Mar 2026 | Nov 10, 1998 · $250,000 damage |
| Blizzards | 7 | Jan 2014 | — |
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 Grant forecast zone and Grant County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Blue River get?
A normal year brings about 40 inches of snow to Blue River, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Richland Ctr weather station 13.7 miles away. The snowiest month is usually January (11.3 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.1 | 2.4 | 10.7 | 11.3 | 9.8 | 5.0 | 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 Blue River?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KARX (La Crosse, WI), about 54 miles 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 Blue River | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KARX La Crosse, WI | 54 mi northwest | 3,900 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KMKX Milwaukee/Sullivan, WI | 103 mi east | 10,100 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KDVN Quad Cities, IA | 109 mi south | 10,900 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 Blue River
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 56 tornadoes within 25 miles of Blue River, 19 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in June and May. The strongest was an F3 on May 30, 1985, which passed about 23 miles southwest of town and caused 2 deaths. The most recent was an EF0 on September 22, 2025, which touched down about 20 miles west-northwest of town.
Hail: 159 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 18 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 2.75-inch hail on April 13, 2006.
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 Blue River'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.
Blue River radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Blue River, WI?
KARX (La Crosse, WI), about 54 miles northwest. KMKX (Milwaukee/Sullivan, WI) is 103 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Blue River?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Blue River the lowest scan from KARX is about 3,900 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Blue River 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 Blue River, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Muscoda, WI radar 7 mi
- Boscobel, WI radar 7 mi
- Richland Center, WI radar 14 mi
- Fennimore, WI radar 15 mi
- Lancaster, WI radar 24 mi
- Spring Green, WI radar 25 mi
- Dodgeville, WI radar 27 mi
- Mineral Point, WI radar 30 mi
- Prairie du Chien, WI radar 30 mi
- Viroqua, WI radar 30 mi