Cross Plains, WI Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Cross Plains, Dane County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Cross Plains?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 174 days in the Dane forecast zone and Dane County — the most common reported hazard around Cross Plains, mostly in June and July. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (69 days) and excessive heat (47 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 174 | Jun 2026 | Sep 19, 2013 · $7.0 million damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 69 | Nov 2025 | Feb 23, 2007 · 1 death · $20,000 damage |
| Excessive heat | 47 | Jun 2026 | Jul 2, 2012 · 1 death |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 41 | Apr 2026 | Aug 22, 2007 · 3 deaths · $10,000 damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 38 | Jan 2026 | Dec 25, 2017 · 3 deaths |
| Flooding | 34 | Apr 2026 | Aug 20, 2018 · $33 million damage |
| Flash flooding | 34 | Jul 2024 | Aug 20, 2018 · 1 death · $1.0 million damage |
| High winds | 11 | Mar 2026 | Nov 10, 1998 · 1 death · $750,000 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 Dane forecast zone and Dane County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Cross Plains get?
A normal year brings about 39 inches of snow to Cross Plains, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Charmany Farm weather station 9.2 miles away. The snowiest month is usually February (10.6 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.3 | 2.2 | 8.2 | 10.1 | 10.6 | 5.5 | 1.6 | 0.0 |
Normal snowfall in inches. TALON Pro compares this season's snow at your location with these normals as winter goes on.
Which radars cover Cross Plains?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KMKX (Milwaukee/Sullivan, WI), about 56 miles east. 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 Cross Plains | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KMKX Milwaukee/Sullivan, WI | 56 mi east | 4,200 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KARX La Crosse, WI | 92 mi west-northwest | 8,400 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KDVN Quad Cities, IA | 114 mi south-southwest | 11,800 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 Cross Plains
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 103 tornadoes within 25 miles of Cross Plains, 28 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in June and July. The strongest was an F5 on June 7, 1984, which passed about 4 miles northwest of town and caused 9 deaths. The most recent was an EF1 on July 16, 2025, which passed about 19 miles west-southwest of town.
Hail: 369 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 43 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.00-inch hail on July 2, 1960.
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 Cross Plains'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.
Cross Plains radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Cross Plains, WI?
KMKX (Milwaukee/Sullivan, WI), about 56 miles east. KARX (La Crosse, WI) is 92 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Cross Plains?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Cross Plains the lowest scan from KMKX is about 4,200 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Cross Plains 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 Cross Plains, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Black Earth, WI radar 5 mi
- Middleton, WI radar 7 mi
- Mazomanie, WI radar 8 mi
- Mount Horeb, WI radar 9 mi
- Verona, WI radar 10 mi
- Shorewood Hills, WI radar 10 mi
- Madison, WI radar 11 mi
- Waunakee, WI radar 11 mi
- Dane, WI radar 12 mi
- Sauk City, WI radar 12 mi