Waterloo, WI Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Waterloo, Jefferson County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Waterloo?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 131 days in the Jefferson forecast zone and Jefferson County — the most common reported hazard around Waterloo, mostly in June and July. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (57 days) and excessive heat (42 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 131 | Jun 2026 | May 31, 1998 · $2.9 million damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 57 | Nov 2025 | Apr 11, 2007 · 1 death · $10,000 damage |
| Excessive heat | 42 | Jun 2026 | — |
| Flooding | 39 | May 2026 | Jun 1, 2004 · $23 million damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 35 | Jan 2026 | Jan 4, 2016 · 1 death |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 17 | Apr 2026 | Jul 7, 2008 · 1 death |
| Flash flooding | 16 | Apr 2026 | Jun 8, 2008 · $137 million damage |
| High winds | 14 | Dec 2021 | Nov 10, 1998 · $1.1 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 Jefferson forecast zone and Jefferson County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Waterloo get?
A normal year brings about 42 inches of snow to Waterloo, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Lake Mills Wwtp weather station 8.5 miles away. The snowiest month is usually February (11.4 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.2 | 2.0 | 10.9 | 10.7 | 11.4 | 4.9 | 2.1 | 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 Waterloo?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KMKX (Milwaukee/Sullivan, WI), about 27 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 Waterloo | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KMKX Milwaukee/Sullivan, WI | 27 mi southeast | 1,600 ft | Excellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground |
| KGRB Green Bay, WI | 101 mi north-northeast | 9,700 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KLOT Chicago, IL | 119 mi south-southeast | 12,500 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 Waterloo
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 139 tornadoes within 25 miles of Waterloo, 36 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in June and July. The strongest was an F4 on September 26, 1951, which passed about 24 miles north-northwest of town and caused 1 death. The most recent was an EF0 on July 16, 2025, which passed about 20 miles east-northeast of town.
Hail: 392 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 52 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.25-inch hail on May 11, 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 Waterloo'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.
Waterloo radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Waterloo, WI?
KMKX (Milwaukee/Sullivan, WI), about 27 miles southeast. KGRB (Green Bay, WI) is 101 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Waterloo?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Waterloo the lowest scan from KMKX is about 1,600 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Waterloo 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 Waterloo, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Marshall, WI radar 4 mi
- Lake Mills, WI radar 8 mi
- Deerfield, WI radar 10 mi
- Columbus, WI radar 11 mi
- Cambridge, WI radar 12 mi
- Sun Prairie, WI radar 12 mi
- Cottage Grove, WI radar 13 mi
- Watertown, WI radar 13 mi
- Johnson Creek, WI radar 13 mi
- Fall River, WI radar 14 mi