Nelson, WI Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Nelson, Buffalo County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Nelson?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged heavy snow or a winter storm on 80 days in the Buffalo forecast zone and Buffalo County — the most common reported hazard around Nelson, mostly in December and February. Next come damaging thunderstorm winds (74 days) and extreme cold & wind chill (19 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 80 | Mar 2026 | — |
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 74 | Jun 2026 | May 21, 2024 · $145,000 damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 19 | Jan 2026 | — |
| Flooding | 17 | May 2023 | Jul 20, 2017 · $1.7 million damage |
| Flash flooding | 16 | Jun 2020 | Aug 11, 2016 · $4.2 million damage |
| Excessive heat | 13 | Jun 2026 | — |
| Ice storms & sleet | 6 | Apr 2013 | — |
| High winds | 5 | Dec 2021 | Nov 10, 1998 · $85,000 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 Buffalo forecast zone and Buffalo County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Nelson get?
A normal year brings about 40 inches of snow to Nelson, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Wabasha weather station 3.5 miles away. The snowiest month is usually January (9.5 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.4 | 2.2 | 9.1 | 9.5 | 8.9 | 7.0 | 2.4 | 0.3 |
Normal snowfall in inches. TALON Pro compares this season's snow at your location with these normals as winter goes on.
Which radars cover Nelson?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KARX (La Crosse, WI), about 57 miles 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 Nelson | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KARX La Crosse, WI | 57 mi southeast | 4,300 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KMPX Minneapolis, MN | 83 mi west-northwest | 7,200 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KDLH Duluth, MN | 167 mi north | 21,700 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 Nelson
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 51 tornadoes within 25 miles of Nelson, 10 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in May and July. The strongest was an F4 on May 10, 1953, which passed about 22 miles southeast of town and caused 2 deaths. The most recent was an EF1 on June 25, 2025, which touched down about 19 miles west-southwest of town.
Hail: 212 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 25 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.00-inch hail on July 3, 1973.
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 Nelson'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.
Nelson radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Nelson, WI?
KARX (La Crosse, WI), about 57 miles southeast. KMPX (Minneapolis, MN) is 83 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Nelson?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Nelson the lowest scan from KARX is about 4,300 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Nelson 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 Nelson, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Durand, WI radar 14 mi
- Buffalo City, WI radar 15 mi
- Mondovi, WI radar 19 mi
- Arcadia, WI radar 28 mi
- Independence, WI radar 29 mi
- Strum, WI radar 31 mi
- Spring Valley, WI radar 32 mi
- Ellsworth, WI radar 32 mi
- Menomonie, WI radar 33 mi
- Whitehall, WI radar 33 mi