Sparta, WI Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Sparta, Monroe County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Sparta?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 83 days in the Monroe forecast zone and Monroe County — the most common reported hazard around Sparta, mostly in July and June. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (82 days) and extreme cold & wind chill (20 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 83 | Jun 2026 | Aug 23, 2006 · $3.6 million damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 82 | Mar 2026 | Jan 24, 1999 · $120,000 damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 20 | Jan 2026 | Dec 29, 2022 · 1 death |
| Flash flooding | 17 | Jul 2024 | Aug 28, 2018 · $27 million damage |
| Excessive heat | 12 | Jun 2026 | Jul 17, 2011 · 1 death · $5,000 damage |
| Flooding | 12 | Jun 2025 | Jul 20, 2017 · $5.0 million damage |
| Wildfires | 7 | Apr 2023 | Sep 27, 2012 · 1 death · $70,000 damage |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 7 | Jun 2022 | Jun 2, 2020 · $30,000 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 Monroe forecast zone and Monroe County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Sparta get?
A normal year brings about 55 inches of snow to Sparta, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Cashton weather station 13.5 miles away. The snowiest month is usually January (15.4 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.2 | 5.4 | 8.2 | 15.4 | 11.5 | 9.9 | 3.8 | 0.1 |
Normal snowfall in inches. TALON Pro compares this season's snow at your location with these normals as winter goes on.
Which radars cover Sparta?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KARX (La Crosse, WI), about 20 miles west-southwest. 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 Sparta | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KARX La Crosse, WI | 20 mi west-southwest | 1,200 ft | Excellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground |
| KMKX Milwaukee/Sullivan, WI | 132 mi east-southeast | 14,800 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KGRB Green Bay, WI | 139 mi east-northeast | 16,100 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 Sparta
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 61 tornadoes within 25 miles of Sparta, 15 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in June and May. The strongest was an F3 on May 5, 1965, which passed about 11 miles northwest of town. The most recent was an EF0 on June 26, 2025, which touched down about 16 miles south of town.
Hail: 269 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 42 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.50-inch hail on June 1, 2000.
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 Sparta'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.
Sparta radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Sparta, WI?
KARX (La Crosse, WI), about 20 miles west-southwest. KMKX (Milwaukee/Sullivan, WI) is 132 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Sparta?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Sparta the lowest scan from KARX is about 1,200 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Sparta 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 Sparta, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Bangor, WI radar 10 mi
- Cashton, WI radar 14 mi
- West Salem, WI radar 14 mi
- Tomah, WI radar 16 mi
- Onalaska, WI radar 20 mi
- Westby, WI radar 20 mi
- La Crosse, WI radar 22 mi
- Holmen, WI radar 23 mi
- Black River Falls, WI radar 25 mi
- Viroqua, WI radar 26 mi