Dorchester, WI Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Dorchester, Clark County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Dorchester?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 86 days in the Clark forecast zone and Clark County — the most common reported hazard around Dorchester, mostly in July and June. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (77 days) and extreme cold & wind chill (22 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 86 | Jun 2026 | May 19, 1996 · $500,000 damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 77 | Mar 2026 | — |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 22 | Jan 2026 | — |
| Flooding | 18 | Apr 2023 | Jun 20, 2012 · 3 deaths · $20,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 12 | Jul 2024 | Sep 21, 2016 · $1.8 million damage |
| Excessive heat | 8 | Jun 2026 | — |
| Ice storms & sleet | 7 | Apr 2026 | Mar 29, 2025 · $20,000 damage |
| High winds | 6 | Dec 2021 | Nov 10, 1998 · $50,000 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 Clark forecast zone and Clark County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Dorchester get?
A normal year brings about 57 inches of snow to Dorchester, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Medford weather station 9 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 Dorchester?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KARX (La Crosse, WI), about 92 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 Dorchester | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KARX La Crosse, WI | 92 mi south-southwest | 8,400 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KGRB Green Bay, WI | 114 mi east-southeast | 11,800 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KDLH Duluth, MN | 156 mi northwest | 19,300 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 Dorchester
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 65 tornadoes within 25 miles of Dorchester, 24 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in June and May. The strongest was an F4 on June 4, 1958, which passed about 9 miles south of town and caused 4 deaths. The most recent was an EF0 on May 15, 2025, which touched down about 23 miles south-southwest of town.
Hail: 128 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 11 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 3.50-inch hail on June 18, 2001.
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 Dorchester'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.
Dorchester radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Dorchester, WI?
KARX (La Crosse, WI), about 92 miles south-southwest. KGRB (Green Bay, WI) is 114 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Dorchester?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Dorchester the lowest scan from KARX is about 8,400 ft up, so light snow from shallow clouds can be under-shown — check NWS winter alerts too.
Is TALON's radar for Dorchester 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 Dorchester, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Abbotsford, WI radar 4 mi
- Colby, WI radar 6 mi
- Medford, WI radar 9 mi
- Athens, WI radar 13 mi
- Spencer, WI radar 17 mi
- Edgar, WI radar 19 mi
- Stratford, WI radar 19 mi
- Loyal, WI radar 20 mi
- Greenwood, WI radar 21 mi
- Thorp, WI radar 23 mi