Colon, MI Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Colon, St. Joseph County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Colon?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 117 days in the St. Joseph forecast zone and St. Joseph County — the most common reported hazard around Colon, mostly in June and August. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (56 days) and high winds (12 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 117 | Jun 2026 | May 21, 2004 · 1 death · $10,000 damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 56 | Dec 2025 | — |
| High winds | 12 | Nov 2019 | — |
| Ice storms & sleet | 7 | Feb 2019 | Feb 24, 2007 · $30,000 damage |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 6 | Jun 2014 | Jun 2, 2006 · 1 death |
| Flooding | 5 | Feb 2018 | Feb 20, 2018 · $680,000 damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 5 | Jan 2024 | — |
| Blizzards | 2 | 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 St. Joseph forecast zone and St. Joseph County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
Which radars cover Colon?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KIWX (Fort Wayne, IN), about 46 miles south-southwest. 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 Colon | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KIWX Fort Wayne, IN | 46 mi south-southwest | 3,200 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KGRR Grand Rapids, MI | 65 mi north | 5,100 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KDTX Detroit, MI | 107 mi east-northeast | 10,700 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 Colon
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 69 tornadoes within 25 miles of Colon, 22 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in May and April. The strongest was an F4 on April 11, 1965, which passed about 17 miles south-southwest of town and caused 36 deaths. The most recent was an EF0 on May 15, 2025, which passed about 23 miles north of town.
Hail: 141 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 19 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.50-inch hail on March 27, 1991.
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 Colon'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.
Colon radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Colon, MI?
KIWX (Fort Wayne, IN), about 46 miles south-southwest. KGRR (Grand Rapids, MI) is 65 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Colon?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Colon the lowest scan from KIWX is about 3,200 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Colon 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 Colon, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Bronson, MI radar 9 mi
- Centreville, MI radar 11 mi
- Union City, MI radar 12 mi
- Sturgis, MI radar 12 mi
- Vicksburg, MI radar 16 mi
- Three Rivers, MI radar 16 mi
- Coldwater, MI radar 16 mi
- Schoolcraft, MI radar 19 mi
- Constantine, MI radar 20 mi
- White Pigeon, MI radar 21 mi