Chain O' Lakes, WI Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Chain O' Lakes, Waupaca County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Chain O' Lakes?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged heavy snow or a winter storm on 83 days in the Waupaca forecast zone and Waupaca County — the most common reported hazard around Chain O' Lakes, mostly in February and January. Next come damaging thunderstorm winds (83 days) and extreme cold & wind chill (14 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 83 | Mar 2026 | — |
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 83 | Jul 2025 | Jun 11, 2001 · $1.4 million damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 14 | Jan 2026 | — |
| Excessive heat | 8 | Jun 2026 | — |
| Flash flooding | 8 | Apr 2026 | Jul 5, 2024 · $260,000 damage |
| Flooding | 7 | Apr 2026 | Mar 15, 2019 · $88,000 damage |
| High winds | 7 | Mar 2017 | Nov 10, 1998 · $5,000 damage |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 7 | Jun 2021 | Jun 17, 2021 · $250,000 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 Waupaca forecast zone and Waupaca County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Chain O' Lakes get?
A normal year brings about 49 inches of snow to Chain O' Lakes, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Waupaca weather station 5.3 miles away. The snowiest month is usually December (12.3 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.3 | 2.1 | 12.3 | 10.9 | 11.9 | 7.0 | 4.7 | 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 Chain O' Lakes?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KGRB (Green Bay, WI), about 53 miles east-northeast. 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 Chain O' Lakes | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KGRB Green Bay, WI | 53 mi east-northeast | 3,900 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KMKX Milwaukee/Sullivan, WI | 99 mi south-southeast | 9,500 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KARX La Crosse, WI | 107 mi west-southwest | 10,600 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 Chain O' Lakes
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 73 tornadoes within 25 miles of Chain O' Lakes, 20 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in June and July. The strongest was an F4 on September 26, 1951, which passed about 2 miles north-northwest of town and caused 6 deaths. The most recent was an EF0 on July 23, 2025, which passed about 20 miles north of town.
Hail: 183 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 9 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.25-inch hail on May 22, 2011.
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 Chain O' Lakes'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.
Chain O' Lakes radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Chain O' Lakes, WI?
KGRB (Green Bay, WI), about 53 miles east-northeast. KMKX (Milwaukee/Sullivan, WI) is 99 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Chain O' Lakes?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Chain O' Lakes the lowest scan from KGRB is about 3,900 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Chain O' Lakes 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 Chain O' Lakes, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
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