Chelsea, MI Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Chelsea, Washtenaw County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Chelsea?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 164 days in the Washtenaw forecast zone and Washtenaw County — the most common reported hazard around Chelsea, mostly in July and June. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (56 days) and high winds (39 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 164 | May 2026 | Jun 18, 2010 · 1 death · $25,000 damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 56 | Jan 2024 | Apr 14, 2018 · $6.0 million damage |
| High winds | 39 | Mar 2026 | Mar 8, 2017 · $25 million damage |
| Flooding | 20 | Aug 2023 | Sep 14, 2008 · $200,000 damage |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 19 | Jun 2014 | Jun 18, 2014 · 1 death |
| Flash flooding | 16 | Jul 2025 | Jun 25, 2021 · $7.5 million damage |
| Excessive heat | 15 | Jun 2026 | — |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 14 | Jan 2026 | Jan 23, 2026 · 1 death |
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 Washtenaw forecast zone and Washtenaw County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Chelsea get?
A normal year brings about 33 inches of snow to Chelsea, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Chelsea weather station 1.1 miles away. The snowiest month is usually January (10.9 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.0 | 1.8 | 6.0 | 10.9 | 8.6 | 4.7 | 0.9 | 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 Chelsea?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KDTX (Detroit, MI), about 39 miles 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 Chelsea | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KDTX Detroit, MI | 39 mi northeast | 2,500 ft | Excellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground |
| KGRR Grand Rapids, MI | 87 mi west-northwest | 7,800 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KIWX Fort Wayne, IN | 109 mi southwest | 10,900 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 Chelsea
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 84 tornadoes within 25 miles of Chelsea, 31 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in June and May. The strongest was an F4 on April 11, 1965, which passed about 23 miles south-southeast of town and caused 23 deaths. The most recent was an EF1 on May 15, 2025, which touched down about 11 miles north-northwest of town.
Hail: 221 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 16 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.50-inch hail on July 26, 1978.
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 Chelsea'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.
Chelsea radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Chelsea, MI?
KDTX (Detroit, MI), about 39 miles northeast. KGRR (Grand Rapids, MI) is 87 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Chelsea?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Chelsea the lowest scan from KDTX is about 2,500 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Chelsea 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 Chelsea, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
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