Chippewa Falls, WI Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Chippewa Falls, Chippewa County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Chippewa Falls?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged heavy snow or a winter storm on 84 days in the Chippewa forecast zone and Chippewa County — the most common reported hazard around Chippewa Falls, mostly in March and February. Next come damaging thunderstorm winds (80 days) and flash flooding (18 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 84 | Dec 2025 | — |
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 80 | Jul 2025 | May 19, 1996 · $900,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 18 | Jul 2022 | Sep 21, 2016 · $882,000 damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 15 | Jan 2026 | Jan 15, 2009 · 1 death |
| Excessive heat | 8 | Jul 2011 | Jul 20, 2001 · 1 death |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 8 | May 2017 | Jun 8, 2008 · $100,000 damage |
| Blizzards | 4 | Mar 2026 | — |
| Ice storms & sleet | 4 | Apr 2026 | — |
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 Chippewa forecast zone and Chippewa County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Chippewa Falls get?
A normal year brings about 55 inches of snow to Chippewa Falls, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Eau Claire Rgnl Ap weather station 6.7 miles away. The snowiest month is usually January (13.5 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.7 | 4.7 | 11.0 | 13.5 | 11.2 | 9.6 | 4.3 | 0.4 |
Normal snowfall in inches. TALON Pro compares this season's snow at your location with these normals as winter goes on.
Which radars cover Chippewa Falls?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KARX (La Crosse, WI), about 77 miles south. 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 Chippewa Falls | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KARX La Crosse, WI | 77 mi south | 6,600 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KMPX Minneapolis, MN | 107 mi west | 10,600 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KDLH Duluth, MN | 137 mi north-northwest | 15,700 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 Chippewa Falls
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 69 tornadoes within 25 miles of Chippewa Falls, 26 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in July and June. The strongest was an F5 on June 4, 1958, which passed about 16 miles west-northwest of town and caused 21 deaths. The most recent was an EF1 on April 28, 2025, which passed about 23 miles south-southwest of town.
Hail: 184 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 16 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.00-inch hail on May 15, 2025.
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 Chippewa Falls'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.
Chippewa Falls radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Chippewa Falls, WI?
KARX (La Crosse, WI), about 77 miles south. KMPX (Minneapolis, MN) is 107 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Chippewa Falls?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Chippewa Falls the lowest scan from KARX is about 6,600 ft up, so light snow from shallow clouds can be under-shown — check NWS winter alerts too.
Is TALON's radar for Chippewa Falls 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 Chippewa Falls, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
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- Bloomer, WI radar 13 mi
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- Elk Mound, WI radar 15 mi
- Colfax, WI radar 17 mi
- Cornell, WI radar 20 mi
- Stanley, WI radar 22 mi