Melvin, MI Live Doppler Radar

Live radar for Melvin, Sanilac County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.

Open live radar for MelvinWhat TALON shows

What weather hits Melvin?

Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged heavy snow or a winter storm on 75 days in the Sanilac forecast zone and Sanilac County — the most common reported hazard around Melvin, mostly in January and February. Next come damaging thunderstorm winds (69 days) and high winds (27 days).

HazardDays reportedMost recentWorst on record
Heavy snow & winter storms75Feb 2025Apr 14, 2018 · $1.0 million damage
Damaging thunderstorm winds69May 2026May 17, 1999 · $50,000 damage
High winds27Mar 2026Mar 8, 2017 · $7.0 million damage
Extreme cold & wind chill14Jan 2019Feb 19, 2001 · 1 death
Excessive heat12Jul 2018—
Blizzards6Feb 2011—
Flooding6Jul 2020Nov 1, 2019 · $1.0 million damage
Flash flooding5Aug 2006Aug 2, 2006 · $1.3 million 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 Sanilac forecast zone and Sanilac County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.

How much snow does Melvin get?

A normal year brings about 41 inches of snow to Melvin, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Yale 1 Nnw weather station 4.2 miles away. The snowiest month is usually January (13.0 in).

OctNovDecJanFebMarAprMay
0.22.07.613.09.56.32.10.0

Normal snowfall in inches. TALON Pro compares this season's snow at your location with these normals as winter goes on.

Which radars cover Melvin?

The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KDTX (Detroit, MI), about 46 miles southwest. 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.

RadarDistanceLowest beam over MelvinView
KDTX
Detroit, MI		46 mi southwest3,100 ftGood — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly
KCLE
Cleveland, OH		133 mi south-southeast14,900 ftLimited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms
KGRR
Grand Rapids, MI		137 mi west15,700 ftLimited — 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 Melvin

Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 55 tornadoes within 25 miles of Melvin, 9 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in June and May. The strongest was an F4 on May 21, 1953, which passed about 23 miles southeast of town and caused 2 deaths. The most recent was an EF0 on July 14, 2023, which passed about 17 miles northeast of town.

Hail: 82 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 9 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.50-inch hail on July 26, 1978.

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 Melvin'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.

Melvin radar FAQ

Where is the nearest weather radar to Melvin, MI?

KDTX (Detroit, MI), about 46 miles southwest. KCLE (Cleveland, OH) is 133 miles away and also covers the area.

Does radar show snow in Melvin?

Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Melvin the lowest scan from KDTX is about 3,100 ft up.

Is TALON's radar for Melvin 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 Melvin, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.

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