Ladysmith, WI Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Ladysmith, Rusk County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Ladysmith?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged heavy snow or a winter storm on 73 days in the Rusk forecast zone and Rusk County — the most common reported hazard around Ladysmith, mostly in December and March. Next come damaging thunderstorm winds (52 days) and extreme cold & wind chill (19 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 73 | Mar 2026 | — |
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 52 | May 2025 | Jun 11, 2001 · $1.0 million damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 19 | Jan 2026 | — |
| Flash flooding | 8 | May 2016 | Aug 2, 2011 · $50,000 damage |
| Excessive heat | 7 | Jul 2011 | — |
| Ice storms & sleet | 2 | Jan 1998 | — |
| High winds | 2 | Jun 2014 | Jun 16, 2014 · $5,000 damage |
| Blizzards | 1 | Jan 1996 | — |
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 Rusk forecast zone and Rusk County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Ladysmith get?
A normal year brings about 52 inches of snow to Ladysmith, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Ladysmith 3W weather station 1.3 miles away. The snowiest month is usually December (12.2 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.7 | 4.8 | 12.2 | 9.2 | 11.7 | 6.7 | 5.5 | 1.3 |
Normal snowfall in inches. TALON Pro compares this season's snow at your location with these normals as winter goes on.
Which radars cover Ladysmith?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KDLH (Duluth, MN), about 109 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 Ladysmith | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KDLH Duluth, MN | 109 mi north-northwest | 11,000 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KARX La Crosse, WI | 113 mi south | 11,600 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KMPX Minneapolis, MN | 127 mi west-southwest | 14,000 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 Ladysmith
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 29 tornadoes within 25 miles of Ladysmith, 12 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in June and September. The strongest was an F4 on July 30, 1977, which passed about 14 miles south-southwest of town. The most recent was an EF0 on June 24, 2021, which touched down about 6 miles west of town.
Hail: 78 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 4 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 2.75-inch hail on August 8, 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 Ladysmith'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.
Ladysmith radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Ladysmith, WI?
KDLH (Duluth, MN), about 109 miles north-northwest. KARX (La Crosse, WI) is 113 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Ladysmith?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Ladysmith the lowest scan from KDLH is about 11,000 ft up, so light snow from shallow clouds can be under-shown — check NWS winter alerts too.
Is TALON's radar for Ladysmith 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 Ladysmith, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
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