Merrimac, WI Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Merrimac, Sauk County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Merrimac?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 109 days in the Sauk forecast zone and Sauk County — the most common reported hazard around Merrimac, mostly in July and June. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (56 days) and excessive heat (41 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 109 | Jun 2026 | May 31, 1998 · $1.1 million damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 56 | Nov 2025 | Jan 12, 2024 · $10,000 damage |
| Excessive heat | 41 | Jun 2026 | Jul 17, 2011 · 1 death |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 39 | Jan 2026 | Feb 1, 2007 · 1 death |
| Flash flooding | 28 | Jun 2024 | Jun 9, 2008 · $37 million damage |
| Flooding | 27 | Mar 2019 | Jun 1, 2004 · $12 million damage |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 10 | Jul 2008 | Aug 24, 2007 · $1.9 million damage |
| High winds | 8 | Mar 2026 | Nov 10, 1998 · $150,000 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 Sauk forecast zone and Sauk County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Merrimac get?
A normal year brings about 43 inches of snow to Merrimac, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Baraboo weather station 7.6 miles away. The snowiest month is usually January (11.3 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.4 | 2.1 | 10.3 | 11.3 | 10.1 | 5.9 | 2.6 | 0.0 |
Normal snowfall in inches. TALON Pro compares this season's snow at your location with these normals as winter goes on.
Which radars cover Merrimac?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KMKX (Milwaukee/Sullivan, WI), about 61 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 Merrimac | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KMKX Milwaukee/Sullivan, WI | 61 mi east-southeast | 4,700 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KARX La Crosse, WI | 84 mi west-northwest | 7,400 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KGRB Green Bay, WI | 108 mi northeast | 10,800 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 Merrimac
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 99 tornadoes within 25 miles of Merrimac, 25 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in June and July. The strongest was an F5 on June 7, 1984, which passed about 9 miles southeast of town and caused 9 deaths. The most recent was an EF0 on July 16, 2025, which passed about 8 miles south-southwest of town.
Hail: 297 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 26 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.25-inch hail on June 6, 2011.
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 Merrimac'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.
Merrimac radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Merrimac, WI?
KMKX (Milwaukee/Sullivan, WI), about 61 miles east-southeast. KARX (La Crosse, WI) is 84 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Merrimac?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Merrimac the lowest scan from KMKX is about 4,700 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Merrimac 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 Merrimac, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Lodi, WI radar 6 mi
- Prairie du Sac, WI radar 8 mi
- Baraboo, WI radar 8 mi
- Sauk City, WI radar 9 mi
- West Baraboo, WI radar 10 mi
- Dane, WI radar 11 mi
- Poynette, WI radar 11 mi
- Portage, WI radar 14 mi
- Waunakee, WI radar 16 mi
- Mazomanie, WI radar 16 mi