Hopkins, MI Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Hopkins, Allegan County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Hopkins?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged heavy snow or a winter storm on 137 days in the Allegan forecast zone and Allegan County — the most common reported hazard around Hopkins, mostly in January and December. Next come damaging thunderstorm winds (117 days) and high winds (15 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 137 | Jan 2026 | Apr 14, 2018 · $100,000 damage |
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 117 | Jun 2026 | Jun 25, 2024 · $500,000 damage |
| High winds | 15 | Dec 2024 | Mar 8, 2017 · $12 million damage |
| Flash flooding | 13 | Jul 2010 | Jun 7, 2008 · 2 deaths · $4.0 million damage |
| Blizzards | 8 | Dec 2022 | — |
| Flooding | 6 | Apr 2013 | Apr 17, 2013 · $5.0 million damage |
| Ice storms & sleet | 5 | Feb 2023 | Feb 5, 2019 · $2.0 million damage |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 1 | Aug 2014 | Aug 26, 2014 · $5,000 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 Allegan forecast zone and Allegan County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
Which radars cover Hopkins?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KGRR (Grand Rapids, MI), about 22 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 Hopkins | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KGRR Grand Rapids, MI | 22 mi north-northeast | 1,200 ft | Excellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground |
| KIWX Fort Wayne, IN | 88 mi south | 7,900 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KDTX Detroit, MI | 117 mi east | 12,200 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 Hopkins
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 90 tornadoes within 25 miles of Hopkins, 28 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in May and April. The strongest was an F5 on April 3, 1956, which passed about 18 miles northwest of town and caused 17 deaths. The most recent was an EF0 on May 15, 2025, which passed about 13 miles north-northwest of town.
Hail: 141 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 15 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.00-inch hail on October 23, 1955.
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 Hopkins'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.
Hopkins radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Hopkins, MI?
KGRR (Grand Rapids, MI), about 22 miles north-northeast. KIWX (Fort Wayne, IN) is 88 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Hopkins?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Hopkins the lowest scan from KGRR is about 1,200 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Hopkins 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 Hopkins, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Wayland, MI radar 7 mi
- Allegan, MI radar 8 mi
- Otsego, MI radar 12 mi
- Plainwell, MI radar 14 mi
- Middleville, MI radar 16 mi
- Caledonia, MI radar 17 mi
- Hudsonville, MI radar 17 mi
- Fennville, MI radar 18 mi
- Zeeland, MI radar 18 mi
- Wyoming, MI radar 19 mi