Hillsboro, WI Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Hillsboro, Vernon County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Hillsboro?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 82 days in the Vernon forecast zone and Vernon County — the most common reported hazard around Hillsboro, mostly in June and July. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (76 days) and flooding (63 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 82 | Jun 2026 | Jun 27, 1998 · $233,000 damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 76 | Mar 2026 | — |
| Flooding | 63 | Jul 2024 | Sep 22, 2016 · 1 death · $986,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 32 | Jun 2024 | Sep 22, 2016 · 1 death · $8.9 million damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 20 | Jan 2026 | Feb 6, 2021 · 1 death |
| Excessive heat | 13 | Jun 2026 | Jul 2, 2012 · 1 death |
| High winds | 6 | Dec 2021 | Nov 10, 1998 · 1 death · $150,000 damage |
| Ice storms & sleet | 4 | Mar 2009 | Jan 4, 1998 · $18,000 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 Vernon forecast zone and Vernon County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Hillsboro get?
A normal year brings about 39 inches of snow to Hillsboro, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Hillsboro weather station in town. The snowiest month is usually January (10.0 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.2 | 2.6 | 7.4 | 10.0 | 10.0 | 6.4 | 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 Hillsboro?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KARX (La Crosse, WI), about 44 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 Hillsboro | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KARX La Crosse, WI | 44 mi west-northwest | 3,000 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KMKX Milwaukee/Sullivan, WI | 102 mi east-southeast | 9,800 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KGRB Green Bay, WI | 125 mi east-northeast | 13,500 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 Hillsboro
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 59 tornadoes within 25 miles of Hillsboro, 20 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in August and May. The strongest was an F4 on April 19, 1957, which passed about 17 miles north-northeast of town and caused 1 death. The most recent was an EF0 on July 16, 2025, which touched down about 18 miles east-northeast of town.
Hail: 183 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 17 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.50-inch hail on June 1, 2000.
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 Hillsboro'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.
Hillsboro radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Hillsboro, WI?
KARX (La Crosse, WI), about 44 miles west-northwest. KMKX (Milwaukee/Sullivan, WI) is 102 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Hillsboro?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Hillsboro the lowest scan from KARX is about 3,000 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Hillsboro 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 Hillsboro, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Elroy, WI radar 7 mi
- Mauston, WI radar 16 mi
- New Lisbon, WI radar 17 mi
- Reedsburg, WI radar 19 mi
- Richland Center, WI radar 22 mi
- Cashton, WI radar 23 mi
- Tomah, WI radar 24 mi
- Westby, WI radar 26 mi
- Lake Delton, WI radar 28 mi
- Wisconsin Dells, WI radar 28 mi