Gaines, MI Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Gaines, Genesee County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Gaines?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 151 days in the Genesee forecast zone and Genesee County — the most common reported hazard around Gaines, mostly in July and June. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (55 days) and high winds (29 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 151 | Jun 2026 | Jun 8, 2008 · $750,000 damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 55 | Mar 2023 | Dec 11, 2000 · $1.1 million damage |
| High winds | 29 | Mar 2026 | Mar 8, 2017 · $25 million damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 15 | Jan 2026 | Feb 3, 2007 · $25,000 damage |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 15 | Jul 2014 | Jul 23, 1999 · 1 death |
| Flash flooding | 15 | Jun 2025 | May 4, 2012 · $7.1 million damage |
| Flooding | 14 | Jul 2024 | Jun 17, 2009 · $200,000 damage |
| Excessive heat | 14 | Jun 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 Genesee forecast zone and Genesee County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Gaines get?
A normal year brings about 52 inches of snow to Gaines, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Flint Bishop Intl Ap weather station 10.4 miles away. The snowiest month is usually January (15.1 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.3 | 3.3 | 11.4 | 15.1 | 13.0 | 6.6 | 2.4 | 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 Gaines?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KDTX (Detroit, MI), about 25 miles east-southeast. 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 Gaines | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KDTX Detroit, MI | 25 mi east-southeast | 1,500 ft | Excellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground |
| KGRR Grand Rapids, MI | 83 mi west | 7,200 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KIWX Fort Wayne, IN | 139 mi southwest | 16,100 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 Gaines
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 118 tornadoes within 25 miles of Gaines, 39 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in May and August. The strongest was an F5 on June 8, 1953, which passed about 16 miles north of town and caused 116 deaths. The most recent was an EF0 on May 15, 2025, which passed about 20 miles north-northwest of town.
Hail: 191 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 Gaines'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.
Gaines radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Gaines, MI?
KDTX (Detroit, MI), about 25 miles east-southeast. KGRR (Grand Rapids, MI) is 83 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Gaines?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Gaines the lowest scan from KDTX is about 1,500 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Gaines 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 Gaines, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
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