Big Rapids, MI Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Big Rapids, Mecosta County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Big Rapids?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged heavy snow or a winter storm on 57 days in the Mecosta forecast zone and Mecosta County — the most common reported hazard around Big Rapids, mostly in February and January. Next come damaging thunderstorm winds (42 days) and flooding (8 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 57 | Nov 2025 | Feb 22, 2023 · $100,000 damage |
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 42 | May 2025 | Apr 12, 2014 · $500,000 damage |
| Flooding | 8 | May 2022 | Jan 30, 2013 · $4.6 million damage |
| High winds | 7 | Mar 2017 | Mar 8, 2017 · $10 million damage |
| Ice storms & sleet | 6 | Feb 2019 | Feb 5, 2019 · $1.0 million damage |
| Flash flooding | 6 | Aug 2011 | Apr 4, 2011 · $1.0 million damage |
| Blizzards | 2 | Feb 2019 | — |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 2 | Jul 2009 | Apr 12, 1996 · $50,000 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 Mecosta forecast zone and Mecosta County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Big Rapids get?
A normal year brings about 61 inches of snow to Big Rapids, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Big Rapids Wtp weather station in town. The snowiest month is usually January (17.8 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.2 | 3.8 | 14.3 | 17.8 | 16.0 | 7.7 | 1.5 | 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 Big Rapids?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KGRR (Grand Rapids, MI), about 56 miles south. 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 Big Rapids | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KGRR Grand Rapids, MI | 56 mi south | 4,100 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KAPX Gaylord, MI | 91 mi north-northeast | 8,400 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KDTX Detroit, MI | 123 mi east-southeast | 13,200 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 Big Rapids
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 33 tornadoes within 25 miles of Big Rapids, 7 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in June and April. The strongest was an F5 on April 3, 1956, which passed about 24 miles south-southeast of town and caused 17 deaths. The most recent was an EF1 on June 26, 2021, which touched down about 16 miles southeast of town.
Hail: 60 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 2 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 2.75-inch hail on July 4, 2012.
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 Big Rapids'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.
Big Rapids radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Big Rapids, MI?
KGRR (Grand Rapids, MI), about 56 miles south. KAPX (Gaylord, MI) is 91 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Big Rapids?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Big Rapids the lowest scan from KGRR is about 4,100 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Big Rapids 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 Big Rapids, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Reed City, MI radar 12 mi
- Evart, MI radar 17 mi
- White Cloud, MI radar 18 mi
- Lakeview, MI radar 21 mi
- Howard City, MI radar 21 mi
- Baldwin, MI radar 23 mi
- Lake Isabella, MI radar 24 mi
- Newaygo, MI radar 25 mi
- Fremont, MI radar 29 mi
- Edmore, MI radar 30 mi