Wausau, WI Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Wausau, Marathon County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Wausau?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 108 days in the Marathon forecast zone and Marathon County — the most common reported hazard around Wausau, mostly in July and June. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (86 days) and extreme cold & wind chill (21 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 108 | Jun 2026 | Jul 16, 1997 · $3.3 million damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 86 | Mar 2026 | Apr 13, 2018 · $50,000 damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 21 | Jan 2026 | Feb 3, 2015 · 1 death |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 18 | Aug 2013 | Oct 6, 2007 · $8.3 million damage |
| Excessive heat | 16 | Jun 2026 | — |
| Flooding | 15 | Jul 2016 | Mar 16, 2016 · $10,000 damage |
| High winds | 14 | Dec 2025 | Oct 23, 2007 · $500,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 12 | Apr 2026 | Jun 22, 2002 · $1.6 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 Marathon forecast zone and Marathon County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Wausau get?
A normal year brings about 63 inches of snow to Wausau, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Wausau Wsaw Tv weather station 1.6 miles away. The snowiest month is usually December (15.5 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.0 | 4.8 | 15.5 | 12.1 | 14.9 | 8.3 | 6.6 | 0.2 |
Normal snowfall in inches. TALON Pro compares this season's snow at your location with these normals as winter goes on.
Which radars cover Wausau?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KGRB (Green Bay, WI), about 82 miles east-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 Wausau | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KGRB Green Bay, WI | 82 mi east-southeast | 7,100 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KARX La Crosse, WI | 110 mi southwest | 11,100 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KMKX Milwaukee/Sullivan, WI | 148 mi south-southeast | 17,800 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 Wausau
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 69 tornadoes within 25 miles of Wausau, 17 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in July and June. The strongest was an F4 on June 4, 1958, which passed about 21 miles west-southwest of town and caused 4 deaths. The most recent was an EF0 on May 15, 2025, which touched down about 13 miles west of town.
Hail: 130 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 7 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.50-inch hail on July 16, 1997.
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 Wausau'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.
Wausau radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Wausau, WI?
KGRB (Green Bay, WI), about 82 miles east-southeast. KARX (La Crosse, WI) is 110 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Wausau?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Wausau the lowest scan from KGRB is about 7,100 ft up, so light snow from shallow clouds can be under-shown — check NWS winter alerts too.
Is TALON's radar for Wausau 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 Wausau, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Schofield, WI radar 4 mi
- Rib Mountain, WI radar 5 mi
- Rothschild, WI radar 6 mi
- Weston, WI radar 7 mi
- Maine, WI radar 7 mi
- Marathon City, WI radar 10 mi
- Kronenwetter, WI radar 10 mi
- Mosinee, WI radar 12 mi
- Merrill, WI radar 15 mi
- Edgar, WI radar 16 mi