Bristol, WI Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Bristol, Kenosha County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Bristol?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 91 days in the Kenosha forecast zone and Kenosha County — the most common reported hazard around Bristol, mostly in June and July. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (58 days) and excessive heat (48 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 91 | Jun 2026 | Jun 30, 2011 · 1 death · $100,000 damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 58 | Nov 2025 | Jan 12, 2024 · $20,000 damage |
| Excessive heat | 48 | Jun 2026 | Aug 6, 2001 · 2 deaths |
| Flooding | 41 | Apr 2026 | Jun 1, 2004 · $11 million damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 39 | Jan 2026 | Nov 16, 2017 · 1 death |
| High winds | 25 | Mar 2026 | Nov 10, 1998 · 1 death · $675,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 20 | Jul 2024 | Jun 12, 2000 · $13 million damage |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 16 | Jul 2018 | Jun 20, 1997 · 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 Kenosha forecast zone and Kenosha County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Bristol get?
A normal year brings about 43 inches of snow to Bristol, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Lake Villa 2Ne weather station 7.5 miles away. The snowiest month is usually January (15.7 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.1 | 3.1 | 9.2 | 15.7 | 8.0 | 5.8 | 1.5 | 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 Bristol?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KMKX (Milwaukee/Sullivan, WI), about 41 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 Bristol | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KMKX Milwaukee/Sullivan, WI | 41 mi northwest | 2,700 ft | Excellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground |
| KLOT Chicago, IL | 64 mi south | 5,000 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KGRR Grand Rapids, MI | 128 mi east-northeast | 14,000 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 Bristol
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 76 tornadoes within 25 miles of Bristol, 19 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in July and June. The strongest was an F4 on April 21, 1967, which passed about 25 miles west-southwest of town and caused 24 deaths. The most recent was an EF1 on June 22, 2024, which passed about 24 miles west-northwest of town.
Hail: 281 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 26 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 Bristol'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.
Bristol radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Bristol, WI?
KMKX (Milwaukee/Sullivan, WI), about 41 miles northwest. KLOT (Chicago, IL) is 64 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Bristol?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Bristol the lowest scan from KMKX is about 2,700 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Bristol 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 Bristol, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Paddock Lake, WI radar 6 mi
- Pleasant Prairie, WI radar 6 mi
- Salem Lakes, WI radar 6 mi
- Kenosha, WI radar 8 mi
- Somers, WI radar 10 mi
- Union Grove, WI radar 11 mi
- Twin Lakes, WI radar 12 mi
- Sturtevant, WI radar 13 mi
- Yorkville, WI radar 13 mi
- Mount Pleasant, WI radar 14 mi