Buena Vista, MI Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Buena Vista, Saginaw County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Buena Vista?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 120 days in the Saginaw forecast zone and Saginaw County — the most common reported hazard around Buena Vista, mostly in July and August. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (56 days) and high winds (34 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 120 | Jun 2026 | May 31, 1998 · $1.0 million damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 56 | Dec 2025 | Apr 14, 2018 · $2.0 million damage |
| High winds | 34 | Nov 2022 | Mar 8, 2017 · $23 million damage |
| Flooding | 30 | May 2020 | May 18, 2020 · $9.0 million damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 15 | Jan 2026 | Dec 30, 1998 · $500,000 damage |
| Excessive heat | 14 | Jun 2026 | — |
| Ice storms & sleet | 11 | Jan 2020 | Dec 21, 2013 · $3.0 million damage |
| Flash flooding | 7 | Aug 2014 | Jun 21, 1996 · $1.0 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 Saginaw forecast zone and Saginaw County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Buena Vista get?
A normal year brings about 41 inches of snow to Buena Vista, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Saginaw #3 weather station 2.8 miles away. The snowiest month is usually January (11.4 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.2 | 2.3 | 11.4 | 11.4 | 9.1 | 5.0 | 1.3 | 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 Buena Vista?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KDTX (Detroit, MI), about 54 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 Buena Vista | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KDTX Detroit, MI | 54 mi south-southeast | 4,000 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KGRR Grand Rapids, MI | 90 mi west-southwest | 8,300 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KAPX Gaylord, MI | 111 mi north-northwest | 11,200 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 Buena Vista
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 68 tornadoes within 25 miles of Buena Vista, 18 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in June and August. The strongest was an F5 on June 8, 1953, which passed about 22 miles south-southeast of town and caused 116 deaths. The most recent was an EF0 on May 15, 2025, which touched down about 14 miles west-southwest of town.
Hail: 195 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 19 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 Buena Vista'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.
Buena Vista radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Buena Vista, MI?
KDTX (Detroit, MI), about 54 miles south-southeast. KGRR (Grand Rapids, MI) is 90 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Buena Vista?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Buena Vista the lowest scan from KDTX is about 4,000 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Buena Vista 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 Buena Vista, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Saginaw, MI radar 3 mi
- Zilwaukee, MI radar 5 mi
- Frankenmuth, MI radar 10 mi
- Reese, MI radar 11 mi
- Bay City, MI radar 12 mi
- Birch Run, MI radar 13 mi
- Essexville, MI radar 14 mi
- St. Charles, MI radar 15 mi
- Auburn, MI radar 15 mi
- Vassar, MI radar 17 mi