Benzonia, MI Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Benzonia, Benzie County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Benzonia?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged heavy snow or a winter storm on 106 days in the Benzie forecast zone and Benzie County — the most common reported hazard around Benzonia, mostly in January and December. Next come damaging thunderstorm winds (21 days) and high winds (9 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 106 | Mar 2026 | Mar 2, 2012 · $2.6 million damage |
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 21 | Jul 2025 | Jul 17, 2006 · $60,000 damage |
| High winds | 9 | Feb 2025 | Dec 16, 2021 · $20,000 damage |
| Blizzards | 5 | Feb 2019 | — |
| Ice storms & sleet | 4 | Feb 2008 | — |
| Flooding | 4 | Jun 2020 | Oct 22, 2019 · $129,000 damage |
| Excessive heat | 2 | Jun 2018 | — |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 2 | Jan 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 Benzie forecast zone and Benzie County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Benzonia get?
A normal year brings about 93 inches of snow to Benzonia, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Frankfort 2Ne weather station 5.9 miles away. The snowiest month is usually January (27.2 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.3 | 6.4 | 23.5 | 27.2 | 19.4 | 12.8 | 3.3 | 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 Benzonia?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KAPX (Gaylord, MI), about 71 miles east-northeast. 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 Benzonia | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KAPX Gaylord, MI | 71 mi east-northeast | 5,700 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KGRB Green Bay, WI | 99 mi west | 9,500 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KGRR Grand Rapids, MI | 122 mi south-southeast | 13,100 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 Benzonia
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 8 tornadoes within 25 miles of Benzonia, 2 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in June and July. The strongest was an F4 on April 3, 1956, which passed about 4 miles southeast of town and caused 1 death. The most recent was a tornado of unknown strength on September 22, 2025, which touched down about 18 miles east-northeast of town.
Hail: 43 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 4 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 3.25-inch hail on October 3, 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 Benzonia'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.
Benzonia radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Benzonia, MI?
KAPX (Gaylord, MI), about 71 miles east-northeast. KGRB (Green Bay, WI) is 99 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Benzonia?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Benzonia the lowest scan from KAPX is about 5,700 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Benzonia 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 Benzonia, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
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- Elk Rapids, MI radar 39 mi
- Cadillac, MI radar 42 mi
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- Scottville, MI radar 47 mi
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