Franks Field, WI Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Franks Field, Ashland County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Franks Field?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged heavy snow or a winter storm on 181 days in the Ashland forecast zone and Ashland County — the most common reported hazard around Franks Field, mostly in December and February. Next come damaging thunderstorm winds (51 days) and extreme cold & wind chill (17 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 181 | Mar 2026 | — |
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 51 | Jun 2026 | Jun 6, 1999 · $150,000 damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 17 | Jan 2026 | — |
| Flooding | 12 | Apr 2023 | Jul 14, 2016 · 1 death |
| Flash flooding | 10 | Jul 2019 | Jun 17, 2018 · 1 death |
| Ice storms & sleet | 8 | Apr 2023 | — |
| Blizzards | 4 | Apr 2023 | — |
| 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 Ashland forecast zone and Ashland County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Franks Field get?
A normal year brings about 134 inches of snow to Franks Field, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Saxon 1Wsw weather station 8.9 miles away. The snowiest month is usually December (32.7 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.0 | 17.6 | 32.7 | 30.9 | 24.5 | 17.9 | 7.9 | 0.7 |
Normal snowfall in inches. TALON Pro compares this season's snow at your location with these normals as winter goes on.
Which radars cover Franks Field?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KDLH (Duluth, MN), about 79 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 Franks Field | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KDLH Duluth, MN | 79 mi west-northwest | 6,700 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KMQT Marquette, MI | 145 mi east | 17,200 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KMPX Minneapolis, MN | 185 mi southwest | 25,700 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 Franks Field
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 14 tornadoes within 25 miles of Franks Field, 2 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in July and August. The strongest was an F2 on June 30, 1968, which passed about 21 miles west-southwest of town. The most recent was an EF0 on September 25, 2020, which touched down about 16 miles south-southeast of town.
Hail: 62 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 7 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 3.00-inch hail on April 10, 2011.
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 Franks Field'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.
Franks Field radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Franks Field, WI?
KDLH (Duluth, MN), about 79 miles west-northwest. KMQT (Marquette, MI) is 145 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Franks Field?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Franks Field the lowest scan from KDLH is about 6,700 ft up, so light snow from shallow clouds can be under-shown — check NWS winter alerts too.
Is TALON's radar for Franks Field 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 Franks Field, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Ashland, WI radar 13 mi
- Washburn, WI radar 17 mi
- Hurley, WI radar 20 mi
- Park Falls, WI radar 43 mi
- Lake Nebagamon, WI radar 53 mi
- Hayward, WI radar 57 mi
- Phillips, WI radar 60 mi