Chief Lake, WI Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Chief Lake, Sawyer County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Chief Lake?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged heavy snow or a winter storm on 97 days in the Sawyer forecast zone and Sawyer County — the most common reported hazard around Chief Lake, mostly in December and February. Next come damaging thunderstorm winds (66 days) and extreme cold & wind chill (18 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 97 | Mar 2026 | — |
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 66 | Jun 2026 | Jun 17, 2018 · 1 death |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 18 | Jan 2026 | Jan 13, 2009 · 1 death |
| Ice storms & sleet | 9 | Apr 2026 | Mar 1, 2022 · $100,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 8 | Jun 2024 | May 27, 2020 · $3,000 damage |
| Flooding | 6 | Aug 2025 | Apr 12, 2023 · $300,000 damage |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 4 | Aug 2021 | May 25, 2008 · $200,000 damage |
| Excessive heat | 2 | Jul 2016 | — |
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 Sawyer forecast zone and Sawyer County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Chief Lake get?
A normal year brings about 59 inches of snow to Chief Lake, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Hayward Rs weather station 9.3 miles away. The snowiest month is usually December (12.5 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.8 | 7.3 | 12.5 | 12.0 | 10.4 | 10.3 | 5.5 | 0.6 |
Normal snowfall in inches. TALON Pro compares this season's snow at your location with these normals as winter goes on.
Which radars cover Chief Lake?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KDLH (Duluth, MN), about 75 miles north-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 Chief Lake | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KDLH Duluth, MN | 75 mi north-northwest | 6,200 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KMPX Minneapolis, MN | 132 mi southwest | 14,800 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KARX La Crosse, WI | 146 mi south | 17,500 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 Chief Lake
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 10 tornadoes within 25 miles of Chief Lake. Most came in May and July. The strongest was an F1 on July 21, 1971, which passed about 13 miles west-southwest of town. The most recent was an EF1 on May 22, 2011, which touched down about 25 miles south-southwest of town.
Hail: 142 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 June 8, 1985.
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 Chief Lake'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.
Chief Lake radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Chief Lake, WI?
KDLH (Duluth, MN), about 75 miles north-northwest. KMPX (Minneapolis, MN) is 132 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Chief Lake?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Chief Lake the lowest scan from KDLH is about 6,200 ft up, so light snow from shallow clouds can be under-shown — check NWS winter alerts too.
Is TALON's radar for Chief Lake 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 Chief Lake, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Hayward, WI radar 9 mi
- Spooner, WI radar 28 mi
- Shell Lake, WI radar 31 mi
- Ladysmith, WI radar 35 mi
- Rice Lake, WI radar 37 mi
- Cameron, WI radar 42 mi
- Lake Nebagamon, WI radar 42 mi
- Park Falls, WI radar 43 mi
- Cumberland, WI radar 43 mi
- Barron, WI radar 44 mi