East Lansing, MI Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for East Lansing, Ingham County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits East Lansing?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 88 days in the Ingham forecast zone and Ingham County — the most common reported hazard around East Lansing, mostly in July and June. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (50 days) and high winds (9 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 88 | Jun 2026 | Aug 24, 2023 · 2 deaths · $10 million damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 50 | Nov 2025 | Nov 29, 2011 · $1.0 million damage |
| High winds | 9 | Feb 2019 | Mar 8, 2017 · $10 million damage |
| Flash flooding | 7 | Jul 2011 | Jul 27, 2011 · $5.0 million damage |
| Ice storms & sleet | 6 | Feb 2023 | Dec 21, 2013 · $5.0 million damage |
| Flooding | 5 | Mar 2026 | Apr 17, 2013 · $5.0 million damage |
| Blizzards | 1 | Jan 1999 | — |
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 Ingham forecast zone and Ingham County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does East Lansing get?
A normal year brings about 36 inches of snow to East Lansing, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the East Lansing 4 S weather station 5.2 miles away. The snowiest month is usually January (14.1 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.3 | 1.8 | 7.4 | 14.1 | 7.3 | 4.2 | 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 East Lansing?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KDTX (Detroit, MI), about 51 miles east. 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 East Lansing | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KDTX Detroit, MI | 51 mi east | 3,700 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KGRR Grand Rapids, MI | 55 mi west | 4,000 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KIWX Fort Wayne, IN | 115 mi south-southwest | 11,800 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 East Lansing
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 92 tornadoes within 25 miles of East Lansing, 32 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in May and August. The strongest was an F4 on April 2, 1977, which passed about 19 miles southwest of town and caused 1 death. The most recent was an EF1 on May 15, 2025, which passed about 6 miles west-southwest of town.
Hail: 119 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 10 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 East Lansing'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.
East Lansing radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to East Lansing, MI?
KDTX (Detroit, MI), about 51 miles east. KGRR (Grand Rapids, MI) is 55 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in East Lansing?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over East Lansing the lowest scan from KDTX is about 3,700 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for East Lansing 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 East Lansing, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
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