Medford, WI Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Medford, Taylor County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Medford?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged heavy snow or a winter storm on 78 days in the Taylor forecast zone and Taylor County — the most common reported hazard around Medford, mostly in February and March. Next come damaging thunderstorm winds (71 days) and extreme cold & wind chill (24 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 78 | Mar 2026 | Dec 30, 2019 · 1 death · $10,000 damage |
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 71 | Jun 2026 | May 19, 1996 · $500,000 damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 24 | Jan 2026 | — |
| Ice storms & sleet | 9 | Apr 2026 | Nov 15, 1996 · $150,000 damage |
| Excessive heat | 8 | Jun 2026 | — |
| Flooding | 7 | Aug 2011 | Sep 23, 2010 · $112,000 damage |
| High winds | 5 | Dec 2021 | Nov 10, 1998 · $45,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 4 | Jun 2020 | Jun 22, 2002 · $95,000 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 Taylor forecast zone and Taylor County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Medford get?
A normal year brings about 57 inches of snow to Medford, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Medford weather station in town. The snowiest month is usually December (15.2 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.5 | 4.5 | 15.2 | 12.8 | 13.9 | 6.0 | 4.0 | 0.1 |
Normal snowfall in inches. TALON Pro compares this season's snow at your location with these normals as winter goes on.
Which radars cover Medford?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KARX (La Crosse, WI), about 100 miles south-southwest. 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 Medford | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KARX La Crosse, WI | 100 mi south-southwest | 9,600 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KGRB Green Bay, WI | 118 mi east-southeast | 12,400 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KDLH Duluth, MN | 148 mi northwest | 17,700 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 Medford
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 58 tornadoes within 25 miles of Medford, 21 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in June and May. The strongest was an F4 on June 4, 1958, which passed about 18 miles south of town and caused 4 deaths. The most recent was an EF2 on May 15, 2025, which passed about 16 miles south of town.
Hail: 113 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 11 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 Medford'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.
Medford radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Medford, WI?
KARX (La Crosse, WI), about 100 miles south-southwest. KGRB (Green Bay, WI) is 118 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Medford?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Medford the lowest scan from KARX is about 9,600 ft up, so light snow from shallow clouds can be under-shown — check NWS winter alerts too.
Is TALON's radar for Medford 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 Medford, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
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- Thorp, WI radar 26 mi
- Spencer, WI radar 26 mi
- Stratford, WI radar 27 mi
- Marathon City, WI radar 28 mi
- Greenwood, WI radar 28 mi
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