McBain, MI Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for McBain, Missaukee County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits McBain?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged heavy snow or a winter storm on 78 days in the Missaukee forecast zone and Missaukee County — the most common reported hazard around McBain, mostly in December and February. Next come damaging thunderstorm winds (22 days) and extreme cold & wind chill (6 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 78 | Mar 2026 | Mar 2, 2012 · $150,000 damage |
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 22 | Jul 2024 | Aug 28, 2018 · $140,000 damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 6 | Jan 2026 | — |
| Blizzards | 4 | Feb 2019 | — |
| High winds | 4 | Dec 2021 | Nov 13, 2005 · $35,000 damage |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 3 | Jul 2005 | Jul 24, 2005 · $1,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 3 | Jul 2012 | Jun 13, 2008 · $150,000 damage |
| Ice storms & sleet | 2 | Dec 2002 | — |
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 Missaukee forecast zone and Missaukee County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does McBain get?
A normal year brings about 74 inches of snow to McBain, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Lake City Exp Farm weather station 7.8 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 McBain?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KAPX (Gaylord, MI), about 55 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 McBain | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KAPX Gaylord, MI | 55 mi north-northeast | 4,000 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KGRR Grand Rapids, MI | 91 mi south | 8,400 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KDTX Detroit, MI | 135 mi southeast | 15,400 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 McBain
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 31 tornadoes within 25 miles of McBain, 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 13 miles west of town. The most recent was an EF1 on July 5, 2024, which passed about 21 miles southeast of town.
Hail: 54 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 2 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 McBain'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.
McBain radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to McBain, MI?
KAPX (Gaylord, MI), about 55 miles north-northeast. KGRR (Grand Rapids, MI) is 91 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in McBain?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over McBain the lowest scan from KAPX is about 4,000 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for McBain 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 McBain, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Cadillac, MI radar 11 mi
- Manton, MI radar 17 mi
- Evart, MI radar 21 mi
- Harrison, MI radar 24 mi
- Reed City, MI radar 27 mi
- Kingsley, MI radar 31 mi
- Clare, MI radar 34 mi
- Big Rapids, MI radar 37 mi
- Kalkaska, MI radar 37 mi
- Baldwin, MI radar 38 mi