Franklin, WI Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Franklin, Milwaukee County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Franklin?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 95 days in the Milwaukee forecast zone and Milwaukee County — the most common reported hazard around Franklin, mostly in June and July. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (66 days) and extreme cold & wind chill (62 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 95 | Apr 2026 | May 31, 1998 · $19 million damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 66 | Nov 2025 | Mar 12, 2017 · 4 deaths |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 62 | Jan 2026 | Jan 12, 2024 · 4 deaths |
| Excessive heat | 56 | Jun 2026 | Jul 29, 1999 · 4 deaths |
| Flooding | 35 | Apr 2026 | Jun 13, 2022 · 3 deaths |
| Flash flooding | 35 | Apr 2026 | Aug 9, 2025 · 1 death · $60 million damage |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 26 | Sep 2018 | Jul 21, 1997 · $1.0 million damage |
| High winds | 21 | Apr 2026 | Nov 10, 1998 · 1 death · $1.0 million 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 Milwaukee forecast zone and Milwaukee County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Franklin get?
A normal year brings about 49 inches of snow to Franklin, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Milwaukee Mitchell Ap weather station 7.3 miles away. The snowiest month is usually January (14.9 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.3 | 2.5 | 10.4 | 14.9 | 11.8 | 6.7 | 2.1 | 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 Franklin?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KMKX (Milwaukee/Sullivan, WI), about 28 miles west-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 Franklin | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KMKX Milwaukee/Sullivan, WI | 28 mi west-northwest | 1,700 ft | Excellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground |
| KLOT Chicago, IL | 89 mi south | 8,000 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KGRB Green Bay, WI | 112 mi north | 11,400 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 Franklin
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 79 tornadoes within 25 miles of Franklin, 21 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in July and June. The strongest was an F4 on April 27, 1984, which passed about 17 miles northwest of town and caused 1 death. The most recent was an EF0 on October 12, 2022, which touched down about 24 miles northwest of town.
Hail: 347 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 36 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.00-inch hail on June 23, 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 Franklin'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.
Franklin radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Franklin, WI?
KMKX (Milwaukee/Sullivan, WI), about 28 miles west-northwest. KLOT (Chicago, IL) is 89 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Franklin?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Franklin the lowest scan from KMKX is about 1,700 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Franklin 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 Franklin, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Greendale, WI radar 4 mi
- Hales Corners, WI radar 4 mi
- Greenfield, WI radar 5 mi
- Oak Creek, WI radar 6 mi
- Raymond, WI radar 6 mi
- Muskego, WI radar 6 mi
- South Milwaukee, WI radar 8 mi
- New Berlin, WI radar 9 mi
- West Allis, WI radar 9 mi
- Cudahy, WI radar 9 mi