Buchanan, MI Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Buchanan, Berrien County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Buchanan?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 130 days in the Southern Berrien forecast zone and Berrien County — the most common reported hazard around Buchanan, mostly in June and August. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (15 days) and flash flooding (15 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 130 | Jun 2026 | May 21, 2004 · 1 death · $10,000 damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 15 | Feb 2026 | — |
| Flash flooding | 15 | Jul 2023 | May 9, 1996 · $5.4 million damage |
| Flooding | 7 | Apr 2026 | Feb 20, 2018 · $8.4 million damage |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 3 | Jul 2006 | Jun 12, 2001 · $800,000 damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 1 | Dec 2022 | — |
| Blizzards | 1 | Dec 2022 | — |
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 Southern Berrien forecast zone and Berrien County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Buchanan get?
A normal year brings about 63 inches of snow to Buchanan, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Niles weather station 5.2 miles away. The snowiest month is usually January (22.6 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.1 | 4.6 | 14.5 | 22.6 | 13.6 | 6.3 | 0.8 | 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 Buchanan?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KIWX (Fort Wayne, IN), about 47 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 Buchanan | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KIWX Fort Wayne, IN | 47 mi southeast | 3,300 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KGRR Grand Rapids, MI | 85 mi north-northeast | 7,500 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KLOT Chicago, IL | 90 mi west | 8,200 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 Buchanan
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 92 tornadoes within 25 miles of Buchanan, 30 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in June and July. The strongest was an F4 on April 11, 1965, which passed about 19 miles south-southeast of town and caused 36 deaths. The most recent was an EF1 on March 30, 2025, which touched down about 14 miles east of town.
Hail: 224 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 14 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 3.50-inch hail on April 17, 1963.
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 Buchanan'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.
Buchanan radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Buchanan, MI?
KIWX (Fort Wayne, IN), about 47 miles southeast. KGRR (Grand Rapids, MI) is 85 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Buchanan?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Buchanan the lowest scan from KIWX is about 3,300 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Buchanan 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 Buchanan, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Niles, MI radar 6 mi
- Berrien Springs, MI radar 8 mi
- Bridgman, MI radar 13 mi
- Three Oaks, MI radar 13 mi
- Edwardsburg, MI radar 15 mi
- Stevensville, MI radar 15 mi
- Dowagiac, MI radar 17 mi
- Cassopolis, MI radar 19 mi
- New Buffalo, MI radar 20 mi
- St. Joseph, MI radar 20 mi