Hartford, MI Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Hartford, Van Buren County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Hartford?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged heavy snow or a winter storm on 126 days in the Van Buren forecast zone and Van Buren County — the most common reported hazard around Hartford, mostly in January and December. Next come damaging thunderstorm winds (93 days) and high winds (14 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 126 | Jan 2026 | Feb 24, 2016 · $25,000 damage |
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 93 | Jun 2026 | Jun 13, 2022 · $3.0 million damage |
| High winds | 14 | Dec 2024 | Mar 8, 2017 · $10 million damage |
| Flash flooding | 7 | Aug 2011 | May 18, 2000 · $150,000 damage |
| Blizzards | 5 | Dec 2022 | — |
| Ice storms & sleet | 4 | Feb 2023 | Feb 22, 2023 · 1 death · $100,000 damage |
| Flooding | 3 | Apr 2013 | Apr 17, 2013 · $3.0 million damage |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 2 | Jul 2011 | Sep 19, 1997 · $200,000 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 Van Buren forecast zone and Van Buren County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Hartford get?
A normal year brings about 87 inches of snow to Hartford, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Eau Claire 4 Ne weather station 13.7 miles away. The snowiest month is usually January (30.5 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.4 | 6.6 | 22.6 | 30.5 | 17.0 | 8.1 | 1.4 | 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 Hartford?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KGRR (Grand Rapids, MI), about 57 miles north-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 Hartford | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KGRR Grand Rapids, MI | 57 mi north-northeast | 4,300 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KIWX Fort Wayne, IN | 63 mi south-southeast | 4,900 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KLOT Chicago, IL | 107 mi west-southwest | 10,700 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 Hartford
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 60 tornadoes within 25 miles of Hartford, 23 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in June and May. The strongest was an F3 on May 13, 1980, which passed about 24 miles east-northeast of town and caused 5 deaths. The most recent was an EF1 on March 30, 2025, which touched down about 25 miles south-southeast of town.
Hail: 98 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 9 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 3.00-inch hail on August 23, 2006.
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 Hartford'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.
Hartford radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Hartford, MI?
KGRR (Grand Rapids, MI), about 57 miles north-northeast. KIWX (Fort Wayne, IN) is 63 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Hartford?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Hartford the lowest scan from KGRR is about 4,300 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Hartford 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 Hartford, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
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- Paw Paw, MI radar 14 mi
- South Haven, MI radar 15 mi
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- Benton Harbor, MI radar 16 mi
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