Marathon City, WI Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Marathon City, Marathon County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Marathon City?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 108 days in the Marathon forecast zone and Marathon County — the most common reported hazard around Marathon City, mostly in July and June. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (86 days) and extreme cold & wind chill (21 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 108 | Jun 2026 | Jul 16, 1997 · $3.3 million damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 86 | Mar 2026 | Apr 13, 2018 · $50,000 damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 21 | Jan 2026 | Feb 3, 2015 · 1 death |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 18 | Aug 2013 | Oct 6, 2007 · $8.3 million damage |
| Excessive heat | 16 | Jun 2026 | — |
| Flooding | 15 | Jul 2016 | Mar 16, 2016 · $10,000 damage |
| High winds | 14 | Dec 2025 | Oct 23, 2007 · $500,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 12 | Apr 2026 | Jun 22, 2002 · $1.6 million 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 Marathon forecast zone and Marathon County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Marathon City get?
A normal year brings about 64 inches of snow to Marathon City, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Wausau Dwtn Ap weather station 11 miles away. The snowiest month is usually January (14.8 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.9 | 6.5 | 14.4 | 14.8 | 12.7 | 8.3 | 6.5 | 0.2 |
Normal snowfall in inches. TALON Pro compares this season's snow at your location with these normals as winter goes on.
Which radars cover Marathon City?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KGRB (Green Bay, WI), about 91 miles east-southeast. 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 Marathon City | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KGRB Green Bay, WI | 91 mi east-southeast | 8,300 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KARX La Crosse, WI | 102 mi southwest | 9,900 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KMKX Milwaukee/Sullivan, WI | 151 mi south-southeast | 18,300 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 Marathon City
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 67 tornadoes within 25 miles of Marathon City, 22 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in June and July. The strongest was an F4 on June 4, 1958, which passed about 11 miles west-southwest of town and caused 4 deaths. The most recent was an EF2 on May 15, 2025, which passed about 22 miles west of town.
Hail: 153 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 7 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 3.00-inch hail on July 13, 2024.
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 Marathon City'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.
Marathon City radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Marathon City, WI?
KGRB (Green Bay, WI), about 91 miles east-southeast. KARX (La Crosse, WI) is 102 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Marathon City?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Marathon City the lowest scan from KGRB is about 8,300 ft up, so light snow from shallow clouds can be under-shown — check NWS winter alerts too.
Is TALON's radar for Marathon City 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 Marathon City, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
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- Athens, WI radar 13 mi
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