Marion, MI Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Marion, Osceola County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Marion?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged heavy snow or a winter storm on 57 days in the Osceola forecast zone and Osceola County — the most common reported hazard around Marion, mostly in December and February. Next come damaging thunderstorm winds (36 days) and high winds (9 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 57 | Dec 2025 | Dec 11, 2010 · $500,000 damage |
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 36 | Aug 2024 | Jul 29, 2001 · $175,000 damage |
| High winds | 9 | Mar 2017 | Mar 8, 2017 · $5.0 million damage |
| Flash flooding | 7 | May 2012 | Jun 13, 2008 · $1.3 million damage |
| Ice storms & sleet | 5 | Dec 2015 | Apr 3, 2003 · $200,000 damage |
| Flooding | 4 | Apr 2014 | Apr 12, 2014 · $3.0 million damage |
| Blizzards | 2 | Feb 2019 | — |
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 Osceola forecast zone and Osceola County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Marion get?
A normal year brings about 74 inches of snow to Marion, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Lake City Exp Farm weather station 14.8 miles away. The snowiest month is usually January (18.7 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.4 | 9.0 | 16.1 | 18.7 | 13.9 | 9.4 | 5.2 | 0.3 |
Normal snowfall in inches. TALON Pro compares this season's snow at your location with these normals as winter goes on.
Which radars cover Marion?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KAPX (Gaylord, MI), about 59 miles north-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 Marion | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KAPX Gaylord, MI | 59 mi north-northeast | 4,500 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KGRR Grand Rapids, MI | 86 mi south-southwest | 7,600 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KDTX Detroit, MI | 128 mi southeast | 14,100 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 Marion
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 34 tornadoes within 25 miles of Marion, 5 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in July and June. The strongest was an F2 on June 7, 1974, which touched down about 19 miles west-northwest of town. The most recent was an EF1 on July 5, 2024, which passed about 14 miles southeast of town.
Hail: 57 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 1 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 Marion'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.
Marion radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Marion, MI?
KAPX (Gaylord, MI), about 59 miles north-northeast. KGRR (Grand Rapids, MI) is 86 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Marion?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Marion the lowest scan from KAPX is about 4,500 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Marion 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 Marion, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Evart, MI radar 15 mi
- Harrison, MI radar 17 mi
- Cadillac, MI radar 18 mi
- Reed City, MI radar 24 mi
- Manton, MI radar 25 mi
- Clare, MI radar 27 mi
- Lake Isabella, MI radar 32 mi
- Big Rapids, MI radar 32 mi
- Gladwin, MI radar 33 mi
- Beaverton, MI radar 36 mi