Houghton, MI Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Houghton, Houghton County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Houghton?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged heavy snow or a winter storm on 200 days in the Houghton forecast zone and Houghton County — the most common reported hazard around Houghton, mostly in December and January. Next come high winds (51 days) and damaging thunderstorm winds (48 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 200 | Apr 2026 | Nov 9, 2018 · 1 death · $20,000 damage |
| High winds | 51 | May 2026 | Nov 11, 1998 · $1.0 million damage |
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 48 | Jun 2026 | Jul 21, 2016 · $80,000 damage |
| Blizzards | 30 | Jan 2026 | Jan 29, 1996 · $25,000 damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 25 | Jan 2026 | — |
| Flooding | 18 | Apr 2026 | Apr 12, 2023 · $18 million damage |
| Flash flooding | 7 | Jul 2025 | Jun 17, 2018 · 1 death · $100 million damage |
| Ice storms & sleet | 5 | Apr 2023 | Mar 22, 2022 · $10,000 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 Houghton forecast zone and Houghton County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
Which radars cover Houghton?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KMQT (Marquette, MI), about 63 miles southeast. 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 Houghton | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KMQT Marquette, MI | 63 mi southeast | 4,900 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KDLH Duluth, MN | 173 mi west | 22,900 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KGRB Green Bay, WI | 182 mi south | 24,900 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 Houghton
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 1 tornado within 25 miles of Houghton. The strongest was an F0 on July 11, 1987, which passed about 9 miles northeast of town.
Hail: 46 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 5 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 2.75-inch hail on March 6, 1992.
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 Houghton'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.
Houghton radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Houghton, MI?
KMQT (Marquette, MI), about 63 miles southeast. KDLH (Duluth, MN) is 173 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Houghton?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Houghton the lowest scan from KMQT is about 4,900 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Houghton 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 Houghton, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Hancock, MI radar 2 mi
- Lake Linden, MI radar 10 mi
- Laurium, MI radar 10 mi
- Baraga, MI radar 23 mi
- L'Anse, MI radar 25 mi
- Ontonagon, MI radar 39 mi
- Ishpeming, MI radar 61 mi