Thornton, WI Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Thornton, Shawano County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Thornton?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged heavy snow or a winter storm on 81 days in the Shawano forecast zone and Shawano County — the most common reported hazard around Thornton, mostly in February and December. Next come damaging thunderstorm winds (78 days) and extreme cold & wind chill (13 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 81 | Mar 2026 | — |
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 78 | Jun 2026 | Jul 16, 1997 · $301,000 damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 13 | Jan 2026 | — |
| Ice storms & sleet | 8 | Apr 2026 | — |
| Flooding | 7 | Jul 2016 | Jun 16, 1996 · $26 million damage |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 6 | Aug 2011 | Aug 23, 2011 · $20,000 damage |
| High winds | 4 | Oct 2010 | Nov 10, 1998 · $10,000 damage |
| Excessive heat | 4 | Jun 2026 | — |
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 Shawano forecast zone and Shawano County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Thornton get?
A normal year brings about 48 inches of snow to Thornton, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Shawano 2Ssw weather station 4.3 miles away. The snowiest month is usually January (11.8 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.3 | 3.5 | 9.8 | 11.8 | 10.8 | 7.4 | 4.3 | 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 Thornton?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KGRB (Green Bay, WI), about 35 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 Thornton | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KGRB Green Bay, WI | 35 mi southeast | 2,200 ft | Excellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground |
| KMKX Milwaukee/Sullivan, WI | 127 mi south | 13,900 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KMQT Marquette, MI | 132 mi north-northeast | 14,800 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 Thornton
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 58 tornadoes within 25 miles of Thornton, 14 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in June and July. The strongest was an F4 on September 26, 1951, which passed about 23 miles south of town and caused 6 deaths. The most recent was an EF0 on July 23, 2025, which passed about 22 miles southwest of town.
Hail: 86 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 5 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.00-inch hail on July 1, 2006.
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 Thornton'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.
Thornton radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Thornton, WI?
KGRB (Green Bay, WI), about 35 miles southeast. KMKX (Milwaukee/Sullivan, WI) is 127 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Thornton?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Thornton the lowest scan from KGRB is about 2,200 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Thornton 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 Thornton, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Shawano, WI radar 5 mi
- Bonduel, WI radar 12 mi
- Clintonville, WI radar 13 mi
- Marion, WI radar 13 mi
- Gillett, WI radar 20 mi
- Pulaski, WI radar 24 mi
- Black Creek, WI radar 25 mi
- Manawa, WI radar 26 mi
- Seymour, WI radar 27 mi
- Oconto Falls, WI radar 28 mi