Howard City, MI Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Howard City, Montcalm County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Howard City?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 73 days in the Montcalm forecast zone and Montcalm County — the most common reported hazard around Howard City, mostly in July and June. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (60 days) and high winds (9 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 73 | Jun 2026 | May 31, 1998 · $14 million damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 60 | Nov 2025 | Apr 14, 2018 · $100,000 damage |
| High winds | 9 | Feb 2019 | Mar 8, 2017 · $10 million damage |
| Ice storms & sleet | 5 | Dec 2015 | Apr 3, 2003 · $200,000 damage |
| Flooding | 5 | May 2020 | Apr 17, 2013 · $3.0 million damage |
| Flash flooding | 5 | May 2001 | May 18, 2000 · $150,000 damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 1 | Apr 1998 | Apr 27, 1998 · $100,000 damage |
| Blizzards | 1 | Jan 1999 | — |
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 Montcalm forecast zone and Montcalm County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Howard City get?
A normal year brings about 64 inches of snow to Howard City, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the White Cloud 9E weather station 12.3 miles away. The snowiest month is usually January (17.6 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.6 | 6.4 | 16.8 | 17.6 | 12.7 | 6.9 | 2.8 | 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 Howard City?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KGRR (Grand Rapids, MI), about 35 miles south. 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 Howard City | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KGRR Grand Rapids, MI | 35 mi south | 2,200 ft | Excellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground |
| KAPX Gaylord, MI | 111 mi north-northeast | 11,300 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KDTX Detroit, MI | 112 mi east-southeast | 11,400 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 Howard City
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 51 tornadoes within 25 miles of Howard City, 10 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in June and April. The strongest was an F5 on April 3, 1956, which passed about 7 miles southeast of town and caused 17 deaths. The most recent was an EF1 on March 30, 2025, which touched down about 16 miles west-southwest of town.
Hail: 86 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 2 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 3.00-inch hail on August 15, 1961.
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 Howard City'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.
Howard City radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Howard City, MI?
KGRR (Grand Rapids, MI), about 35 miles south. KAPX (Gaylord, MI) is 111 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Howard City?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Howard City the lowest scan from KGRR is about 2,200 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Howard City 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 Howard City, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
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