Rock Springs, WI Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Rock Springs, Sauk County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Rock Springs?
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 Rock Springs, 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 Rock Springs get?
A normal year brings about 44 inches of snow to Rock Springs, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Reedsburg weather station 4.8 miles away. The snowiest month is usually February (14.8 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.4 | 1.7 | 9.3 | 9.9 | 14.8 | 5.1 | 2.7 | 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 Rock Springs?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KARX (La Crosse, WI), about 68 miles west-northwest. 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 Rock Springs | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KARX La Crosse, WI | 68 mi west-northwest | 5,400 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KMKX Milwaukee/Sullivan, WI | 78 mi east-southeast | 6,600 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KGRB Green Bay, WI | 115 mi northeast | 11,800 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 Rock Springs
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 78 tornadoes within 25 miles of Rock Springs, 21 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in August and June. The strongest was an F5 on June 7, 1984, which passed about 24 miles southeast of town and caused 9 deaths. The most recent was an EF0 on July 16, 2025, which passed about 18 miles southeast of town.
Hail: 210 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 11 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 Rock Springs'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.
Rock Springs radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Rock Springs, WI?
KARX (La Crosse, WI), about 68 miles west-northwest. KMKX (Milwaukee/Sullivan, WI) is 78 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Rock Springs?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Rock Springs the lowest scan from KARX is about 5,400 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Rock Springs 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 Rock Springs, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Reedsburg, WI radar 5 mi
- West Baraboo, WI radar 8 mi
- Baraboo, WI radar 9 mi
- Lake Delton, WI radar 11 mi
- Wisconsin Dells, WI radar 13 mi
- Prairie du Sac, WI radar 16 mi
- Sauk City, WI radar 17 mi
- Spring Green, WI radar 22 mi
- Mazomanie, WI radar 22 mi
- Lodi, WI radar 22 mi