Lake Leelanau, MI Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Lake Leelanau, Leelanau County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Lake Leelanau?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged heavy snow or a winter storm on 136 days in the Leelanau forecast zone and Leelanau County — the most common reported hazard around Lake Leelanau, mostly in January and December. Next come damaging thunderstorm winds (26 days) and high winds (13 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 136 | Mar 2026 | Mar 2, 2012 · $14 million damage |
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 26 | Jul 2025 | Aug 2, 2015 · $19 million damage |
| High winds | 13 | Feb 2025 | Nov 13, 2005 · $25,000 damage |
| Blizzards | 5 | Feb 2019 | — |
| Ice storms & sleet | 4 | Feb 2008 | — |
| Flooding | 4 | Sep 2023 | Oct 21, 2019 · $175,000 damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 3 | Jan 2026 | Feb 10, 2008 · 1 death |
| Flash flooding | 3 | Aug 2021 | Sep 1, 2000 · $50,000 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 Leelanau forecast zone and Leelanau County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Lake Leelanau get?
A normal year brings about 115 inches of snow to Lake Leelanau, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Nw Michigan Rsch Farm weather station 7 miles away. The snowiest month is usually January (32.0 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.3 | 10.4 | 29.3 | 32.0 | 22.3 | 13.4 | 6.8 | 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 Lake Leelanau?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KAPX (Gaylord, MI), about 49 miles east. 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 Lake Leelanau | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KAPX Gaylord, MI | 49 mi east | 3,500 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KGRB Green Bay, WI | 122 mi west-southwest | 13,100 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KMQT Marquette, MI | 139 mi northwest | 16,000 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 Lake Leelanau
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 17 tornadoes within 25 miles of Lake Leelanau, 5 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in July and September. The strongest was an F4 on April 3, 1956, which passed about 5 miles southeast of town and caused 1 death. The most recent was a tornado of unknown strength on September 22, 2025, which touched down about 17 miles south of town.
Hail: 60 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 July 8, 2016.
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 Lake Leelanau'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.
Lake Leelanau radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Lake Leelanau, MI?
KAPX (Gaylord, MI), about 49 miles east. KGRB (Green Bay, WI) is 122 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Lake Leelanau?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Lake Leelanau the lowest scan from KAPX is about 3,500 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Lake Leelanau 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 Lake Leelanau, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Elk Rapids, MI radar 16 mi
- Traverse City, MI radar 17 mi
- Bellaire, MI radar 25 mi
- Kingsley, MI radar 29 mi
- East Jordan, MI radar 31 mi
- Kalkaska, MI radar 31 mi
- Charlevoix, MI radar 32 mi
- Mancelona, MI radar 32 mi
- Frankfort, MI radar 35 mi
- Boyne City, MI radar 38 mi