Portage, WI Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Portage, Columbia County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Portage?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 111 days in the Columbia forecast zone and Columbia County — the most common reported hazard around Portage, mostly in June and July. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (61 days) and flooding (45 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 111 | Jun 2026 | May 31, 1998 · $3.8 million damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 61 | Nov 2025 | Dec 1, 2007 · 3 deaths |
| Flooding | 45 | Apr 2026 | Jun 1, 2004 · $24 million damage |
| Excessive heat | 40 | Jun 2026 | Jul 2, 2012 · 2 deaths |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 38 | Jan 2026 | Feb 4, 2016 · 1 death |
| Flash flooding | 22 | Jul 2024 | Jun 8, 2008 · $56 million damage |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 10 | Aug 2018 | Jun 26, 2002 · $100,000 damage |
| Blizzards | 6 | Mar 2026 | Feb 1, 2011 · $10,000 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 Columbia forecast zone and Columbia County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Portage get?
A normal year brings about 39 inches of snow to Portage, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Portage Wwtp weather station 1.9 miles away. The snowiest month is usually January (10.2 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.5 | 2.0 | 8.9 | 10.2 | 10.0 | 5.5 | 2.2 | 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 Portage?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KMKX (Milwaukee/Sullivan, WI), about 61 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 Portage | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KMKX Milwaukee/Sullivan, WI | 61 mi southeast | 4,700 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KARX La Crosse, WI | 88 mi west-northwest | 8,000 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KGRB Green Bay, WI | 94 mi northeast | 8,800 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
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 Portage
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 110 tornadoes within 25 miles of Portage, 20 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in June and July. The strongest was an F5 on June 7, 1984, which passed about 19 miles south of town and caused 9 deaths. The most recent was an EF0 on July 16, 2025, which passed about 22 miles south-southwest of town.
Hail: 207 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 13 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.25-inch hail on May 22, 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 Portage'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.
Portage radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Portage, WI?
KMKX (Milwaukee/Sullivan, WI), about 61 miles southeast. KARX (La Crosse, WI) is 88 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Portage?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Portage the lowest scan from KMKX is about 4,700 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Portage 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 Portage, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Pardeeville, WI radar 8 mi
- Poynette, WI radar 11 mi
- Rio, WI radar 13 mi
- Baraboo, WI radar 15 mi
- Lake Delton, WI radar 16 mi
- West Baraboo, WI radar 16 mi
- Lodi, WI radar 17 mi
- Wisconsin Dells, WI radar 17 mi
- Montello, WI radar 18 mi
- Dane, WI radar 21 mi