Hillman, MI Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Hillman, Montmorency County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Hillman?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged heavy snow or a winter storm on 69 days in the Montmorency forecast zone and Montmorency County — the most common reported hazard around Hillman, mostly in December and January. Next come damaging thunderstorm winds (32 days) and extreme cold & wind chill (8 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 69 | Mar 2026 | Mar 2, 2012 · $150,000 damage |
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 32 | Aug 2021 | Jun 5, 2005 · $40,000 damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 8 | Feb 2026 | — |
| Blizzards | 5 | Feb 2019 | — |
| Ice storms & sleet | 5 | Mar 2026 | — |
| High winds | 4 | Dec 2021 | Nov 13, 2005 · $20,000 damage |
| Excessive heat | 2 | Jun 2018 | — |
| Flash flooding | 2 | Aug 2020 | — |
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 Montmorency forecast zone and Montmorency County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
Which radars cover Hillman?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KAPX (Gaylord, MI), about 42 miles west-southwest. 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 Hillman | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KAPX Gaylord, MI | 42 mi west-southwest | 2,800 ft | Excellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground |
| KDTX Detroit, MI | 165 mi south | 21,200 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KGRR Grand Rapids, MI | 171 mi south-southwest | 22,500 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 Hillman
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 29 tornadoes within 25 miles of Hillman, 5 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in June and July. The strongest was an F2 on May 8, 1964, which passed about 16 miles north of town. The most recent was an EF1 on September 1, 2014, which passed about 25 miles west-southwest of town.
Hail: 52 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 9 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 2.75-inch hail on May 20, 2022.
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 Hillman'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.
Hillman radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Hillman, MI?
KAPX (Gaylord, MI), about 42 miles west-southwest. KDTX (Detroit, MI) is 165 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Hillman?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Hillman the lowest scan from KAPX is about 2,800 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Hillman 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 Hillman, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Alpena, MI radar 22 mi
- Rogers City, MI radar 25 mi
- Gaylord, MI radar 39 mi
- Cheboygan, MI radar 49 mi
- Grayling, MI radar 49 mi
- Boyne City, MI radar 55 mi
- East Tawas, MI radar 57 mi
- West Branch, MI radar 57 mi
- Petoskey, MI radar 58 mi
- Tawas City, MI radar 58 mi