Hillsdale, MI Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Hillsdale, Hillsdale County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Hillsdale?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 102 days in the Hillsdale forecast zone and Hillsdale County — the most common reported hazard around Hillsdale, mostly in June and July. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (47 days) and high winds (12 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 102 | Jun 2026 | Aug 25, 1998 · $100,000 damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 47 | Nov 2025 | — |
| High winds | 12 | Dec 2021 | — |
| Ice storms & sleet | 7 | Feb 2023 | — |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 5 | Jan 2024 | — |
| Flash flooding | 5 | Sep 2013 | Jun 17, 1996 · $150,000 damage |
| Blizzards | 1 | Feb 2011 | — |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 1 | Jul 2001 | Jul 21, 2001 · 1 death |
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 Hillsdale forecast zone and Hillsdale County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Hillsdale get?
A normal year brings about 44 inches of snow to Hillsdale, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Hillsdale weather station in town. The snowiest month is usually January (13.3 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.1 | 3.4 | 9.1 | 13.3 | 11.5 | 5.2 | 1.5 | 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 Hillsdale?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KIWX (Fort Wayne, IN), about 67 miles 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 Hillsdale | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KIWX Fort Wayne, IN | 67 mi southwest | 5,400 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KDTX Detroit, MI | 80 mi northeast | 6,900 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KGRR Grand Rapids, MI | 81 mi northwest | 7,000 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
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 Hillsdale
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 73 tornadoes within 25 miles of Hillsdale, 24 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in May and April. The strongest was an F4 on April 11, 1965, which passed about 6 miles south-southeast of town and caused 23 deaths. The most recent was an EF1 on April 2, 2025, which passed about 21 miles west-southwest of town.
Hail: 112 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 10 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.00-inch hail on June 19, 2021.
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 Hillsdale'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.
Hillsdale radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Hillsdale, MI?
KIWX (Fort Wayne, IN), about 67 miles southwest. KDTX (Detroit, MI) is 80 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Hillsdale?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Hillsdale the lowest scan from KIWX is about 5,400 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Hillsdale 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 Hillsdale, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
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- Reading, MI radar 8 mi
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- Homer, MI radar 18 mi
- Coldwater, MI radar 19 mi
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- Brooklyn, MI radar 23 mi