Lake Wissota, WI Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Lake Wissota, Chippewa County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Lake Wissota?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged heavy snow or a winter storm on 84 days in the Chippewa forecast zone and Chippewa County — the most common reported hazard around Lake Wissota, mostly in March and February. Next come damaging thunderstorm winds (80 days) and flash flooding (18 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 84 | Dec 2025 | — |
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 80 | Jul 2025 | May 19, 1996 · $900,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 18 | Jul 2022 | Sep 21, 2016 · $882,000 damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 15 | Jan 2026 | Jan 15, 2009 · 1 death |
| Excessive heat | 8 | Jul 2011 | Jul 20, 2001 · 1 death |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 8 | May 2017 | Jun 8, 2008 · $100,000 damage |
| Blizzards | 4 | Mar 2026 | — |
| Ice storms & sleet | 4 | Apr 2026 | — |
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 Chippewa forecast zone and Chippewa County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Lake Wissota get?
A normal year brings about 55 inches of snow to Lake Wissota, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Eau Claire Rgnl Ap weather station 10.5 miles away. The snowiest month is usually January (13.5 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.7 | 4.7 | 11.0 | 13.5 | 11.2 | 9.6 | 4.3 | 0.4 |
Normal snowfall in inches. TALON Pro compares this season's snow at your location with these normals as winter goes on.
Which radars cover Lake Wissota?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KARX (La Crosse, WI), about 76 miles south. 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 Lake Wissota | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KARX La Crosse, WI | 76 mi south | 6,400 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KMPX Minneapolis, MN | 112 mi west | 11,400 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KDLH Duluth, MN | 139 mi north-northwest | 16,100 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 Lake Wissota
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 73 tornadoes within 25 miles of Lake Wissota, 27 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in July and June. The strongest was an F5 on June 4, 1958, which passed about 20 miles west-northwest of town and caused 21 deaths. The most recent was an EF1 on April 28, 2025, which passed about 24 miles south-southwest of town.
Hail: 184 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 18 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.00-inch hail on May 15, 2025.
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 Lake Wissota'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.
Lake Wissota radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Lake Wissota, WI?
KARX (La Crosse, WI), about 76 miles south. KMPX (Minneapolis, MN) is 112 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Lake Wissota?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Lake Wissota the lowest scan from KARX is about 6,400 ft up, so light snow from shallow clouds can be under-shown — check NWS winter alerts too.
Is TALON's radar for Lake Wissota 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 Lake Wissota, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Chippewa Falls, WI radar 5 mi
- Lake Hallie, WI radar 7 mi
- Cadott, WI radar 7 mi
- Fall Creek, WI radar 11 mi
- Altoona, WI radar 11 mi
- Eau Claire, WI radar 13 mi
- Bloomer, WI radar 16 mi
- Stanley, WI radar 17 mi
- Cornell, WI radar 18 mi
- Augusta, WI radar 19 mi