Crystal Mountain, MI Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Crystal Mountain, Benzie County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Crystal Mountain?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged heavy snow or a winter storm on 106 days in the Benzie forecast zone and Benzie County — the most common reported hazard around Crystal Mountain, mostly in January and December. Next come damaging thunderstorm winds (21 days) and high winds (9 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 106 | Mar 2026 | Mar 2, 2012 · $2.6 million damage |
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 21 | Jul 2025 | Jul 17, 2006 · $60,000 damage |
| High winds | 9 | Feb 2025 | Dec 16, 2021 · $20,000 damage |
| Blizzards | 5 | Feb 2019 | — |
| Ice storms & sleet | 4 | Feb 2008 | — |
| Flooding | 4 | Jun 2020 | Oct 22, 2019 · $129,000 damage |
| Excessive heat | 2 | Jun 2018 | — |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 2 | Jan 2026 | — |
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 Benzie forecast zone and Benzie County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Crystal Mountain get?
A normal year brings about 92 inches of snow to Crystal Mountain, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Beulah 7Ssw weather station 6.4 miles away. The snowiest month is usually January (26.8 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.1 | 7.7 | 22.9 | 26.8 | 20.2 | 11.2 | 3.5 | 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 Crystal Mountain?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KAPX (Gaylord, MI), about 68 miles east-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 Crystal Mountain | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KAPX Gaylord, MI | 68 mi east-northeast | 5,500 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KGRB Green Bay, WI | 104 mi west | 10,200 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KGRR Grand Rapids, MI | 115 mi south-southeast | 11,900 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 Crystal Mountain
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 9 tornadoes within 25 miles of Crystal Mountain, 2 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in June and July. The strongest was an F4 on April 3, 1956, which passed about 4 miles northwest of town and caused 1 death. The most recent was a tornado of unknown strength on September 22, 2025, which touched down about 18 miles northeast of town.
Hail: 52 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 4 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 3.25-inch hail on October 3, 2006.
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 Crystal Mountain'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.
Crystal Mountain radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Crystal Mountain, MI?
KAPX (Gaylord, MI), about 68 miles east-northeast. KGRB (Green Bay, WI) is 104 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Crystal Mountain?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Crystal Mountain the lowest scan from KAPX is about 5,500 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Crystal Mountain 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 Crystal Mountain, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
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