Elk Rapids, MI Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Elk Rapids, Antrim County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Elk Rapids?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged heavy snow or a winter storm on 169 days in the Antrim forecast zone and Antrim County — the most common reported hazard around Elk Rapids, mostly in December and January. Next come damaging thunderstorm winds (41 days) and high winds (12 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 169 | Mar 2026 | Mar 2, 2012 · $250,000 damage |
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 41 | Jul 2024 | Aug 2, 2015 · $600,000 damage |
| High winds | 12 | Dec 2021 | Nov 12, 2003 · $20,000 damage |
| Blizzards | 6 | Dec 2022 | Feb 24, 2019 · $3,000 damage |
| Ice storms & sleet | 4 | Mar 2025 | — |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 3 | Jan 2026 | — |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 3 | Jul 2024 | Jun 18, 2012 · $80,000 damage |
| Excessive heat | 2 | Jun 2018 | — |
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 Antrim forecast zone and Antrim County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Elk Rapids get?
A normal year brings about 115 inches of snow to Elk Rapids, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Nw Michigan Rsch Farm weather station 13.3 miles away. The snowiest month is usually January (32.0 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.3 | 10.4 | 29.3 | 32.0 | 22.3 | 13.4 | 6.8 | 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 Elk Rapids?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KAPX (Gaylord, MI), about 34 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 Elk Rapids | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KAPX Gaylord, MI | 34 mi east | 2,100 ft | Excellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground |
| KGRB Green Bay, WI | 136 mi west | 15,500 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KGRR Grand Rapids, MI | 139 mi south | 16,000 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 Elk Rapids
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 27 tornadoes within 25 miles of Elk Rapids, 8 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in July and September. The strongest was an F4 on April 3, 1956, which passed about 10 miles west-northwest of town and caused 1 death. The most recent was a tornado of unknown strength on September 22, 2025, which touched down about 21 miles west-southwest of town.
Hail: 81 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 3 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 3.00-inch hail on July 8, 2016.
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 Elk Rapids'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.
Elk Rapids radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Elk Rapids, MI?
KAPX (Gaylord, MI), about 34 miles east. KGRB (Green Bay, WI) is 136 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Elk Rapids?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Elk Rapids the lowest scan from KAPX is about 2,100 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Elk Rapids 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 Elk Rapids, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Bellaire, MI radar 11 mi
- Traverse City, MI radar 14 mi
- Kalkaska, MI radar 16 mi
- Mancelona, MI radar 17 mi
- East Jordan, MI radar 22 mi
- Kingsley, MI radar 22 mi
- Boyne City, MI radar 29 mi
- Charlevoix, MI radar 30 mi
- Manton, MI radar 34 mi
- Gaylord, MI radar 36 mi