Chetek, WI Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Chetek, Barron County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Chetek?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged heavy snow or a winter storm on 81 days in the Barron forecast zone and Barron County — the most common reported hazard around Chetek, mostly in December and March. Next come damaging thunderstorm winds (67 days) and extreme cold & wind chill (21 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 81 | Mar 2026 | — |
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 67 | May 2025 | Jun 11, 2017 · 1 death |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 21 | Jan 2026 | Jan 1, 2018 · 1 death |
| Excessive heat | 8 | Jul 2012 | Jul 1, 2012 · 2 deaths |
| Flash flooding | 8 | Sep 2015 | Oct 4, 2005 · $225,000 damage |
| High winds | 4 | Jun 2014 | — |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 3 | Sep 1997 | — |
| Blizzards | 1 | Jan 1996 | — |
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 Barron forecast zone and Barron County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Chetek get?
A normal year brings about 53 inches of snow to Chetek, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Rice Lake weather station 9.1 miles away. The snowiest month is usually December (11.9 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.8 | 5.7 | 11.9 | 10.5 | 10.7 | 8.9 | 3.5 | 0.5 |
Normal snowfall in inches. TALON Pro compares this season's snow at your location with these normals as winter goes on.
Which radars cover Chetek?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KMPX (Minneapolis, MN), about 99 miles west-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 Chetek | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KMPX Minneapolis, MN | 99 mi west-southwest | 9,400 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KARX La Crosse, WI | 106 mi south-southeast | 10,400 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KDLH Duluth, MN | 108 mi north-northwest | 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 Chetek
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 61 tornadoes within 25 miles of Chetek, 16 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in July and June. The strongest was an F5 on June 4, 1958, which passed about 18 miles south of town and caused 21 deaths. The most recent was an EF1 on May 9, 2022, which passed about 23 miles south of town.
Hail: 156 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 21 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 3.50-inch hail on July 23, 1965.
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 Chetek'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.
Chetek radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Chetek, WI?
KMPX (Minneapolis, MN), about 99 miles west-southwest. KARX (La Crosse, WI) is 106 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Chetek?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Chetek the lowest scan from KMPX is about 9,400 ft up, so light snow from shallow clouds can be under-shown — check NWS winter alerts too.
Is TALON's radar for Chetek 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 Chetek, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Cameron, WI radar 7 mi
- Barron, WI radar 11 mi
- Rice Lake, WI radar 12 mi
- Bloomer, WI radar 17 mi
- Colfax, WI radar 22 mi
- Cumberland, WI radar 24 mi
- Turtle Lake, WI radar 25 mi
- Boyceville, WI radar 27 mi
- Cornell, WI radar 27 mi
- Ladysmith, WI radar 29 mi