Bay City, MI Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Bay City, Bay County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Bay City?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 81 days in the Bay forecast zone and Bay County — the most common reported hazard around Bay City, mostly in July and August. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (51 days) and high winds (29 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 81 | Jun 2026 | May 31, 1998 · 1 death · $100,000 damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 51 | Nov 2025 | Apr 14, 2018 · $2.0 million damage |
| High winds | 29 | Apr 2022 | Mar 8, 2017 · $7.0 million damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 14 | Jan 2019 | Mar 9, 1998 · 1 death |
| Flooding | 14 | Sep 2021 | May 18, 2020 · $2.0 million damage |
| Excessive heat | 13 | Jul 2018 | — |
| Ice storms & sleet | 9 | Jan 2020 | Dec 1, 2019 · $50,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 6 | Jun 2017 | Jun 21, 1996 · 1 death · $2.2 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 Bay forecast zone and Bay County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Bay City get?
A normal year brings about 49 inches of snow to Bay City, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Saginaw Mbs Intl Ap weather station 10.3 miles away. The snowiest month is usually January (13.9 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.2 | 3.3 | 11.8 | 13.9 | 11.4 | 6.0 | 2.4 | 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 Bay City?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KDTX (Detroit, MI), about 65 miles south-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 Bay City | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KDTX Detroit, MI | 65 mi south-southeast | 5,100 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KGRR Grand Rapids, MI | 96 mi west-southwest | 9,100 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KAPX Gaylord, MI | 100 mi north-northwest | 9,600 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
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 Bay City
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 43 tornadoes within 25 miles of Bay City, 12 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in June and May. The strongest was an F3 on June 12, 1984, which crossed near town. The most recent was an EF0 on May 15, 2025, which touched down about 23 miles south-southwest of town.
Hail: 176 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 21 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 3.50-inch hail on September 2, 1984.
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 Bay City'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.
Bay City radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Bay City, MI?
KDTX (Detroit, MI), about 65 miles south-southeast. KGRR (Grand Rapids, MI) is 96 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Bay City?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Bay City the lowest scan from KDTX is about 5,100 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Bay City 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 Bay City, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Essexville, MI radar 3 mi
- Zilwaukee, MI radar 8 mi
- Auburn, MI radar 9 mi
- Saginaw, MI radar 12 mi
- Reese, MI radar 14 mi
- Midland, MI radar 17 mi
- Pinconning, MI radar 19 mi
- Frankenmuth, MI radar 19 mi
- Vassar, MI radar 22 mi
- Birch Run, MI radar 24 mi