Grand Marais, MI Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Grand Marais, Alger County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Grand Marais?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged heavy snow or a winter storm on 209 days in the Alger forecast zone and Alger County — the most common reported hazard around Grand Marais, mostly in January and December. Next come damaging thunderstorm winds (34 days) and blizzards (31 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 209 | Mar 2026 | May 1, 2023 · $500,000 damage |
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 34 | Jun 2026 | Jun 10, 2000 · $100,000 damage |
| Blizzards | 31 | Mar 2026 | Apr 4, 2007 · $2,000 damage |
| High winds | 27 | Nov 2024 | Nov 10, 1998 · $1.1 million damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 20 | Jan 2026 | — |
| Ice storms & sleet | 7 | Apr 2026 | — |
| Excessive heat | 7 | Jun 2026 | — |
| Flooding | 4 | May 2023 | May 5, 2023 · $1.0 million damage |
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 Alger forecast zone and Alger County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
Which radars cover Grand Marais?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KMQT (Marquette, MI), about 76 miles west. 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 Grand Marais | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KMQT Marquette, MI | 76 mi west | 6,400 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KAPX Gaylord, MI | 136 mi south-southeast | 15,600 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KGRB Green Bay, WI | 183 mi southwest | 25,100 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 Grand Marais
NOAA has no tornado on record within 25 miles of Grand Marais since 1950.
Hail: 8 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 3 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.00-inch hail on June 30, 2018.
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 Grand Marais'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.
Grand Marais radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Grand Marais, MI?
KMQT (Marquette, MI), about 76 miles west. KAPX (Gaylord, MI) is 136 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Grand Marais?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Grand Marais the lowest scan from KMQT is about 6,400 ft up, so light snow from shallow clouds can be under-shown — check NWS winter alerts too.
Is TALON's radar for Grand Marais 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 Grand Marais, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Newberry, MI radar 31 mi
- Munising, MI radar 35 mi
- Manistique, MI radar 51 mi