Janesville, WI Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Janesville, Rock County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Janesville?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 163 days in the Rock forecast zone and Rock County — the most common reported hazard around Janesville, mostly in June and July. Next come flooding (54 days) and heavy snow & winter storms (53 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 163 | Jun 2026 | Aug 5, 2000 · $6.3 million damage |
| Flooding | 54 | Apr 2026 | Jun 18, 1996 · $19 million damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 53 | Nov 2025 | Jan 12, 2024 · $20,000 damage |
| Excessive heat | 52 | Jun 2026 | Jul 2, 2012 · 3 deaths |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 39 | Jan 2026 | Jan 26, 2019 · 1 death |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 33 | Jul 2022 | Jun 30, 2014 · 1 death |
| Flash flooding | 22 | Apr 2026 | Apr 17, 2026 · $30 million damage |
| High winds | 17 | Mar 2026 | Feb 20, 2014 · 1 death |
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 Rock forecast zone and Rock County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Janesville get?
A normal year brings about 37 inches of snow to Janesville, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Afton - Janesville Wwtp weather station 4.2 miles away. The snowiest month is usually January (10.8 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.2 | 2.4 | 7.7 | 10.8 | 10.1 | 4.1 | 1.3 | 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 Janesville?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KMKX (Milwaukee/Sullivan, WI), about 31 miles northeast. 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 Janesville | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KMKX Milwaukee/Sullivan, WI | 31 mi northeast | 1,900 ft | Excellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground |
| KLOT Chicago, IL | 89 mi south-southeast | 8,000 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KDVN Quad Cities, IA | 109 mi southwest | 11,000 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 Janesville
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 118 tornadoes within 25 miles of Janesville, 23 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in June and May. The strongest was an F3 on August 18, 2005, which passed about 17 miles north of town and caused 1 death. The most recent was an EF0 on July 15, 2024, which touched down about 17 miles west-northwest of town.
Hail: 277 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 29 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.25-inch hail on May 11, 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 Janesville'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.
Janesville radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Janesville, WI?
KMKX (Milwaukee/Sullivan, WI), about 31 miles northeast. KLOT (Chicago, IL) is 89 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Janesville?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Janesville the lowest scan from KMKX is about 1,900 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Janesville 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 Janesville, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
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- Edgerton, WI radar 11 mi
- Beloit, WI radar 11 mi
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- Evansville, WI radar 16 mi
- Darien, WI radar 16 mi
- Whitewater, WI radar 18 mi
- Fort Atkinson, WI radar 19 mi
- Brodhead, WI radar 19 mi