Cataract, WI Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Cataract, Monroe County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Cataract?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 83 days in the Monroe forecast zone and Monroe County — the most common reported hazard around Cataract, mostly in July and June. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (82 days) and extreme cold & wind chill (20 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 83 | Jun 2026 | Aug 23, 2006 · $3.6 million damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 82 | Mar 2026 | Jan 24, 1999 · $120,000 damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 20 | Jan 2026 | Dec 29, 2022 · 1 death |
| Flash flooding | 17 | Jul 2024 | Aug 28, 2018 · $27 million damage |
| Excessive heat | 12 | Jun 2026 | Jul 17, 2011 · 1 death · $5,000 damage |
| Flooding | 12 | Jun 2025 | Jul 20, 2017 · $5.0 million damage |
| Wildfires | 7 | Apr 2023 | Sep 27, 2012 · 1 death · $70,000 damage |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 7 | Jun 2022 | Jun 2, 2020 · $30,000 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 Monroe forecast zone and Monroe County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Cataract get?
A normal year brings about 41 inches of snow to Cataract, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Black Rvr Falls Sewage weather station 14.1 miles away. The snowiest month is usually February (10.9 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.1 | 1.4 | 10.6 | 9.8 | 10.9 | 5.5 | 2.9 | 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 Cataract?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KARX (La Crosse, WI), about 25 miles southwest. 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 Cataract | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KARX La Crosse, WI | 25 mi southwest | 1,500 ft | Excellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground |
| KGRB Green Bay, WI | 138 mi east-northeast | 15,900 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KMKX Milwaukee/Sullivan, WI | 138 mi east-southeast | 15,900 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 Cataract
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 54 tornadoes within 25 miles of Cataract, 14 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in June and May. The strongest was an F3 on May 5, 1965, which passed about 6 miles west-southwest of town. The most recent was an EF1 on June 25, 2025, which passed about 20 miles south-southwest of town.
Hail: 243 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 34 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.00-inch hail on July 28, 2023.
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 Cataract'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.
Cataract radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Cataract, WI?
KARX (La Crosse, WI), about 25 miles southwest. KGRB (Green Bay, WI) is 138 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Cataract?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Cataract the lowest scan from KARX is about 1,500 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Cataract 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 Cataract, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Sparta, WI radar 10 mi
- Black River Falls, WI radar 15 mi
- Bangor, WI radar 15 mi
- West Salem, WI radar 18 mi
- Tomah, WI radar 18 mi
- Holmen, WI radar 23 mi
- Onalaska, WI radar 23 mi
- Cashton, WI radar 24 mi
- Galesville, WI radar 26 mi
- La Crosse, WI radar 26 mi