Kingsley, MI Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Kingsley, Grand Traverse County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Kingsley?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged heavy snow or a winter storm on 131 days in the Grand Traverse forecast zone and Grand Traverse County — the most common reported hazard around Kingsley, mostly in January and December. Next come damaging thunderstorm winds (43 days) and flash flooding (12 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 131 | Mar 2026 | Mar 2, 2012 · $5.6 million damage |
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 43 | Jul 2025 | Aug 2, 2015 · $7.8 million damage |
| Flash flooding | 12 | Oct 2023 | Oct 6, 2012 · $1.8 million damage |
| High winds | 8 | Feb 2025 | Dec 16, 2021 · $50,000 damage |
| Flooding | 7 | Oct 2023 | Apr 14, 2014 · $75,000 damage |
| Blizzards | 5 | Feb 2019 | Feb 24, 2019 · $6,000 damage |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 5 | Jun 2025 | Sep 1, 2000 · 1 death |
| Ice storms & sleet | 4 | Feb 2008 | — |
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 Grand Traverse forecast zone and Grand Traverse County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Kingsley get?
A normal year brings about 101 inches of snow to Kingsley, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Traverse City Munson weather station 13.3 miles away. The snowiest month is usually January (32.3 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.1 | 5.6 | 24.6 | 32.3 | 21.4 | 12.3 | 4.7 | 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 Kingsley?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KAPX (Gaylord, MI), about 45 miles east-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 Kingsley | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KAPX Gaylord, MI | 45 mi east-northeast | 3,100 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KGRR Grand Rapids, MI | 117 mi south | 12,300 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KGRB Green Bay, WI | 128 mi west | 14,000 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 Kingsley
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 22 tornadoes within 25 miles of Kingsley, 9 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in July and June. The strongest was an F4 on April 3, 1956, which passed about 19 miles northwest of town and caused 1 death. The most recent was a tornado of unknown strength on September 22, 2025, which touched down about 16 miles northwest of town.
Hail: 66 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 3 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 2.00-inch hail on September 7, 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 Kingsley'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.
Kingsley radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Kingsley, MI?
KAPX (Gaylord, MI), about 45 miles east-northeast. KGRR (Grand Rapids, MI) is 117 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Kingsley?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Kingsley the lowest scan from KAPX is about 3,100 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Kingsley 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 Kingsley, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Traverse City, MI radar 12 mi
- Manton, MI radar 14 mi
- Kalkaska, MI radar 19 mi
- Elk Rapids, MI radar 22 mi
- Cadillac, MI radar 24 mi
- Bellaire, MI radar 31 mi
- Mancelona, MI radar 31 mi
- Frankfort, MI radar 35 mi
- Grayling, MI radar 40 mi
- East Jordan, MI radar 43 mi