Lincoln, MI Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Lincoln, Alcona County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Lincoln?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged heavy snow or a winter storm on 53 days in the Alcona forecast zone and Alcona County — the most common reported hazard around Lincoln, mostly in December and February. Next come damaging thunderstorm winds (37 days) and extreme cold & wind chill (8 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 53 | Mar 2026 | Apr 24, 2005 · $3,000 damage |
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 37 | Aug 2025 | Aug 12, 2025 · $25,000 damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 8 | Feb 2026 | — |
| High winds | 5 | Dec 2021 | Dec 16, 2021 · $10,000 damage |
| Ice storms & sleet | 4 | Mar 2025 | — |
| Blizzards | 3 | Jan 1999 | — |
| Flooding | 3 | Oct 2019 | Oct 21, 2019 · $54,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 3 | Jul 2017 | Jun 22, 2008 · $100,000 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 Alcona forecast zone and Alcona County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Lincoln get?
A normal year brings about 52 inches of snow to Lincoln, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Harrisville 2Nne weather station 6.5 miles away. The snowiest month is usually January (14.4 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.0 | 2.6 | 10.9 | 14.4 | 12.3 | 8.0 | 4.2 | 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 Lincoln?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KAPX (Gaylord, MI), about 66 miles west-northwest. 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 Lincoln | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KAPX Gaylord, MI | 66 mi west-northwest | 5,200 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KDTX Detroit, MI | 137 mi south | 15,700 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KGRR Grand Rapids, MI | 163 mi southwest | 20,800 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 Lincoln
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 19 tornadoes within 25 miles of Lincoln, 6 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in June and July. The strongest was an F3 on March 27, 1991, which passed about 6 miles south-southeast of town. The most recent was an EF1 on June 22, 2008, which touched down about 10 miles northwest of town.
Hail: 38 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 3 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 2.75-inch hail on June 30, 2004.
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 Lincoln'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.
Lincoln radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Lincoln, MI?
KAPX (Gaylord, MI), about 66 miles west-northwest. KDTX (Detroit, MI) is 137 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Lincoln?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Lincoln the lowest scan from KAPX is about 5,200 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Lincoln 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 Lincoln, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Alpena, MI radar 27 mi
- East Tawas, MI radar 27 mi
- Tawas City, MI radar 29 mi
- West Branch, MI radar 50 mi
- Rogers City, MI radar 54 mi
- Standish, MI radar 56 mi
- Pigeon, MI radar 60 mi