Hayward, WI Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Hayward, Sawyer County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Hayward?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged heavy snow or a winter storm on 97 days in the Sawyer forecast zone and Sawyer County — the most common reported hazard around Hayward, mostly in December and February. Next come damaging thunderstorm winds (66 days) and extreme cold & wind chill (18 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 97 | Mar 2026 | — |
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 66 | Jun 2026 | Jun 17, 2018 · 1 death |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 18 | Jan 2026 | Jan 13, 2009 · 1 death |
| Ice storms & sleet | 9 | Apr 2026 | Mar 1, 2022 · $100,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 8 | Jun 2024 | May 27, 2020 · $3,000 damage |
| Flooding | 6 | Aug 2025 | Apr 12, 2023 · $300,000 damage |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 4 | Aug 2021 | May 25, 2008 · $200,000 damage |
| 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 Sawyer forecast zone and Sawyer County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Hayward get?
A normal year brings about 59 inches of snow to Hayward, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Hayward Rs weather station 1 mile away. The snowiest month is usually December (12.5 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.8 | 7.3 | 12.5 | 12.0 | 10.4 | 10.3 | 5.5 | 0.6 |
Normal snowfall in inches. TALON Pro compares this season's snow at your location with these normals as winter goes on.
Which radars cover Hayward?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KDLH (Duluth, MN), about 67 miles north-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 Hayward | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KDLH Duluth, MN | 67 mi north-northwest | 5,300 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KMPX Minneapolis, MN | 129 mi southwest | 14,200 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KARX La Crosse, WI | 152 mi south | 18,500 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 Hayward
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 12 tornadoes within 25 miles of Hayward, 2 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in June and May. The strongest was an F2 on May 10, 1953, which passed about 18 miles west-northwest of town and caused 4 deaths. The most recent was an EF1 on July 18, 2019, which touched down about 21 miles north-northwest of town.
Hail: 161 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 21 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 3.50-inch hail on June 8, 1985.
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 Hayward'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.
Hayward radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Hayward, WI?
KDLH (Duluth, MN), about 67 miles north-northwest. KMPX (Minneapolis, MN) is 129 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Hayward?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Hayward the lowest scan from KDLH is about 5,300 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Hayward 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 Hayward, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Spooner, WI radar 23 mi
- Shell Lake, WI radar 28 mi
- Lake Nebagamon, WI radar 35 mi
- Rice Lake, WI radar 38 mi
- Cumberland, WI radar 42 mi
- Ladysmith, WI radar 42 mi
- Cameron, WI radar 43 mi
- Barron, WI radar 45 mi
- Chetek, WI radar 48 mi
- Ashland, WI radar 50 mi