Merrill, WI Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Merrill, Lincoln County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Merrill?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged heavy snow or a winter storm on 83 days in the Lincoln forecast zone and Lincoln County — the most common reported hazard around Merrill, mostly in March and February. Next come damaging thunderstorm winds (82 days) and extreme cold & wind chill (16 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 83 | Apr 2026 | — |
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 82 | Jul 2025 | Jul 30, 2002 · $25,000 damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 16 | Jan 2026 | — |
| Flooding | 9 | Sep 2018 | Jun 11, 2017 · $2,000 damage |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 6 | Jul 1999 | May 19, 1996 · $150,000 damage |
| Ice storms & sleet | 5 | Mar 2025 | — |
| High winds | 5 | Oct 2010 | Nov 10, 1998 · $25,000 damage |
| Blizzards | 2 | Feb 2019 | — |
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 Lincoln forecast zone and Lincoln County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Merrill get?
A normal year brings about 54 inches of snow to Merrill, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Merrill weather station 1.9 miles away. The snowiest month is usually January (12.4 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.9 | 5.0 | 11.6 | 12.4 | 11.6 | 7.2 | 5.5 | 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 Merrill?
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 Merrill | 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 | 119 mi southwest | 12,600 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KMQT Marquette, MI | 139 mi northeast | 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 Merrill
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 61 tornadoes within 25 miles of Merrill, 17 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in July and June. The strongest was an F4 on August 31, 1977, which passed about 17 miles south-southeast of town. The most recent was an EF0 on May 15, 2025, which touched down about 17 miles southwest of town.
Hail: 124 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 10 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.50-inch hail on July 16, 1997.
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 Merrill'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.
Merrill radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Merrill, WI?
KGRB (Green Bay, WI), about 91 miles east-southeast. KARX (La Crosse, WI) is 119 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Merrill?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Merrill 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 Merrill 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 Merrill, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Maine, WI radar 9 mi
- Wausau, WI radar 15 mi
- Marathon City, WI radar 18 mi
- Schofield, WI radar 19 mi
- Rib Mountain, WI radar 20 mi
- Tomahawk, WI radar 21 mi
- Athens, WI radar 21 mi
- Weston, WI radar 21 mi
- Rothschild, WI radar 22 mi
- Edgar, WI radar 22 mi