Chelsea, WI Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Chelsea, Taylor County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Chelsea?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged heavy snow or a winter storm on 78 days in the Taylor forecast zone and Taylor County — the most common reported hazard around Chelsea, mostly in February and March. Next come damaging thunderstorm winds (71 days) and extreme cold & wind chill (24 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 78 | Mar 2026 | Dec 30, 2019 · 1 death · $10,000 damage |
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 71 | Jun 2026 | May 19, 1996 · $500,000 damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 24 | Jan 2026 | — |
| Ice storms & sleet | 9 | Apr 2026 | Nov 15, 1996 · $150,000 damage |
| Excessive heat | 8 | Jun 2026 | — |
| Flooding | 7 | Aug 2011 | Sep 23, 2010 · $112,000 damage |
| High winds | 5 | Dec 2021 | Nov 10, 1998 · $45,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 4 | Jun 2020 | Jun 22, 2002 · $95,000 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 Taylor forecast zone and Taylor County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Chelsea get?
A normal year brings about 57 inches of snow to Chelsea, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Medford weather station 11.4 miles away. The snowiest month is usually December (15.2 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.5 | 4.5 | 15.2 | 12.8 | 13.9 | 6.0 | 4.0 | 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 Chelsea?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KARX (La Crosse, WI), about 111 miles south-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 Chelsea | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KARX La Crosse, WI | 111 mi south-southwest | 11,200 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KGRB Green Bay, WI | 121 mi east-southeast | 12,800 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KDLH Duluth, MN | 140 mi northwest | 16,300 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 Chelsea
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 46 tornadoes within 25 miles of Chelsea, 15 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in June and September. The strongest was an F4 on May 10, 1953, which passed about 13 miles northwest of town and caused 2 deaths. The most recent was an EF0 on July 5, 2024, which touched down about 9 miles south-southwest of town.
Hail: 106 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 8 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 3.00-inch hail on July 14, 1995.
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 Chelsea'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.
Chelsea radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Chelsea, WI?
KARX (La Crosse, WI), about 111 miles south-southwest. KGRB (Green Bay, WI) is 121 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Chelsea?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Chelsea the lowest scan from KARX is about 11,200 ft up, so light snow from shallow clouds can be under-shown — check NWS winter alerts too.
Is TALON's radar for Chelsea 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 Chelsea, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Medford, WI radar 11 mi
- Athens, WI radar 21 mi
- Abbotsford, WI radar 24 mi
- Colby, WI radar 26 mi
- Phillips, WI radar 28 mi
- Merrill, WI radar 30 mi
- Edgar, WI radar 31 mi
- Tomahawk, WI radar 32 mi
- Marathon City, WI radar 33 mi
- Thorp, WI radar 34 mi