Ripon, WI Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Ripon, Fond du Lac County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Ripon?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 103 days in the Fond Du Lac forecast zone and Fond du Lac County — the most common reported hazard around Ripon, mostly in July and June. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (65 days) and excessive heat (40 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 103 | Jun 2026 | Jul 28, 2021 · 1 death · $23,000 damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 65 | Nov 2025 | Mar 9, 2023 · 1 death |
| Excessive heat | 40 | Jun 2026 | Jul 15, 2012 · 1 death |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 36 | Jan 2026 | Jan 1, 2018 · 1 death |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 19 | Jul 2018 | Oct 2, 2006 · $200,000 damage |
| Flooding | 13 | Jul 2025 | Jun 1, 2004 · $67 million damage |
| High winds | 11 | Mar 2026 | Nov 10, 1998 · $700,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 11 | Jun 2024 | Jun 12, 2008 · $17 million 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 Fond Du Lac forecast zone and Fond du Lac County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Ripon get?
A normal year brings about 38 inches of snow to Ripon, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Ripon 5 Ne weather station 5.5 miles away. The snowiest month is usually January (11.0 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.1 | 1.8 | 9.5 | 11.0 | 8.2 | 5.6 | 1.4 | 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 Ripon?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KGRB (Green Bay, WI), about 58 miles northeast. 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 Ripon | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KGRB Green Bay, WI | 58 mi northeast | 4,300 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KMKX Milwaukee/Sullivan, WI | 62 mi south-southeast | 4,800 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KARX La Crosse, WI | 117 mi west | 12,300 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 Ripon
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 145 tornadoes within 25 miles of Ripon, 32 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in June and August. The strongest was an F5 on July 18, 1996, which passed about 15 miles southeast of town. The most recent was an EF0 on July 16, 2025, which touched down about 22 miles south of town.
Hail: 190 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 21 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 Ripon'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.
Ripon radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Ripon, WI?
KGRB (Green Bay, WI), about 58 miles northeast. KMKX (Milwaukee/Sullivan, WI) is 62 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Ripon?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Ripon the lowest scan from KGRB is about 4,300 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Ripon 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 Ripon, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Green Lake, WI radar 6 mi
- Rosendale, WI radar 9 mi
- Berlin, WI radar 10 mi
- Markesan, WI radar 12 mi
- Princeton, WI radar 14 mi
- Omro, WI radar 14 mi
- Waupun, WI radar 15 mi
- North Fond du Lac, WI radar 18 mi
- Oakfield, WI radar 18 mi
- Oshkosh, WI radar 18 mi