Dexter, MI Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Dexter, Washtenaw County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Dexter?
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 Dexter, 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 Dexter get?
A normal year brings about 33 inches of snow to Dexter, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Chelsea weather station 6.8 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 Dexter?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KDTX (Detroit, MI), about 33 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 Dexter | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KDTX Detroit, MI | 33 mi northeast | 2,100 ft | Excellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground |
| KGRR Grand Rapids, MI | 93 mi west-northwest | 8,600 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KIWX Fort Wayne, IN | 115 mi southwest | 12,000 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 Dexter
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 98 tornadoes within 25 miles of Dexter, 37 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in June and August. The strongest was an F4 on April 11, 1965, which passed about 22 miles south-southeast of town and caused 23 deaths. The most recent was an EF1 on May 15, 2025, which touched down about 14 miles northwest of town.
Hail: 238 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 13 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 3.50-inch hail on April 9, 2001.
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 Dexter'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.
Dexter radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Dexter, MI?
KDTX (Detroit, MI), about 33 miles northeast. KGRR (Grand Rapids, MI) is 93 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Dexter?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Dexter the lowest scan from KDTX is about 2,100 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Dexter 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 Dexter, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Chelsea, MI radar 7 mi
- Ann Arbor, MI radar 9 mi
- Pinckney, MI radar 9 mi
- Saline, MI radar 12 mi
- Brighton, MI radar 15 mi
- Ypsilanti, MI radar 15 mi
- South Lyon, MI radar 15 mi
- Manchester, MI radar 15 mi
- Stockbridge, MI radar 17 mi
- Grass Lake, MI radar 18 mi