Tainter Lake, WI Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Tainter Lake, Dunn County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Tainter Lake?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged heavy snow or a winter storm on 92 days in the Dunn forecast zone and Dunn County — the most common reported hazard around Tainter Lake, mostly in February and March. Next come damaging thunderstorm winds (77 days) and extreme cold & wind chill (15 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 92 | Mar 2026 | Jan 27, 2013 · 1 death |
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 77 | Jun 2026 | May 3, 2012 · 1 death |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 15 | Jan 2026 | — |
| Flash flooding | 14 | Jun 2020 | Aug 14, 2009 · $250,000 damage |
| Excessive heat | 8 | Jul 2016 | — |
| Ice storms & sleet | 4 | Apr 2026 | — |
| High winds | 4 | Dec 2021 | — |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 4 | Aug 2021 | Aug 24, 2021 · 1 death |
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 Dunn forecast zone and Dunn County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Tainter Lake get?
A normal year brings about 41 inches of snow to Tainter Lake, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Menomonie weather station 9 miles away. The snowiest month is usually February (11.0 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.2 | 3.5 | 6.3 | 9.7 | 11.0 | 7.3 | 2.4 | 0.5 |
Normal snowfall in inches. TALON Pro compares this season's snow at your location with these normals as winter goes on.
Which radars cover Tainter Lake?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KMPX (Minneapolis, MN), about 85 miles west. 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 Tainter Lake | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KMPX Minneapolis, MN | 85 mi west | 7,500 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KARX La Crosse, WI | 87 mi south-southeast | 7,800 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KDLH Duluth, MN | 129 mi north | 14,200 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 Tainter Lake
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 71 tornadoes within 25 miles of Tainter Lake, 27 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in July and June. The strongest was an F5 on June 4, 1958, which crossed near town and caused 21 deaths. The most recent was an EF0 on August 29, 2024, which touched down about 18 miles west of town.
Hail: 216 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 23 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.00-inch hail on May 15, 2025.
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 Tainter Lake'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.
Tainter Lake radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Tainter Lake, WI?
KMPX (Minneapolis, MN), about 85 miles west. KARX (La Crosse, WI) is 87 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Tainter Lake?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Tainter Lake the lowest scan from KMPX is about 7,500 ft up, so light snow from shallow clouds can be under-shown — check NWS winter alerts too.
Is TALON's radar for Tainter Lake 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 Tainter Lake, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Colfax, WI radar 6 mi
- Menomonie, WI radar 8 mi
- Boyceville, WI radar 10 mi
- Elk Mound, WI radar 11 mi
- Glenwood City, WI radar 16 mi
- Bloomer, WI radar 19 mi
- Eau Claire, WI radar 21 mi
- Spring Valley, WI radar 22 mi
- Woodville, WI radar 22 mi
- Lake Hallie, WI radar 22 mi