Kent City, MI Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Kent City, Kent County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Kent City?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 123 days in the Kent forecast zone and Kent County — the most common reported hazard around Kent City, mostly in June and July. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (89 days) and flooding (14 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 123 | Jun 2026 | Aug 24, 2023 · 3 deaths · $10 million damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 89 | Jan 2026 | Apr 14, 2018 · $100,000 damage |
| Flooding | 14 | Mar 2026 | May 21, 2004 · $3.2 million damage |
| High winds | 13 | Dec 2021 | Mar 8, 2017 · $15 million damage |
| Flash flooding | 13 | Mar 2026 | May 15, 2001 · $700,000 damage |
| Ice storms & sleet | 6 | Feb 2019 | Feb 5, 2019 · $5.0 million damage |
| Blizzards | 6 | Dec 2022 | — |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 3 | Sep 2010 | Sep 21, 2010 · $500,000 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 Kent forecast zone and Kent County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Kent City get?
A normal year brings about 48 inches of snow to Kent City, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Kent City 2 Sw weather station 2 miles away. The snowiest month is usually December (15.0 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.3 | 4.2 | 15.0 | 13.9 | 7.7 | 5.7 | 1.2 | 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 Kent City?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KGRR (Grand Rapids, MI), about 25 miles south-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 Kent City | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KGRR Grand Rapids, MI | 25 mi south-southeast | 1,500 ft | Excellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground |
| KDTX Detroit, MI | 121 mi east-southeast | 12,900 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KAPX Gaylord, MI | 127 mi north-northeast | 13,900 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 Kent City
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 61 tornadoes within 25 miles of Kent City, 13 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in April and August. The strongest was an F5 on April 3, 1956, which passed about 10 miles southeast of town and caused 17 deaths. The most recent was an EF1 on March 30, 2025, which touched down near town.
Hail: 119 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 August 1, 1993.
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 Kent 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.
Kent City radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Kent City, MI?
KGRR (Grand Rapids, MI), about 25 miles south-southeast. KDTX (Detroit, MI) is 121 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Kent City?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Kent City the lowest scan from KGRR is about 1,500 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Kent 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 Kent City, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
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