Melvindale, MI Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Melvindale, Wayne County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Melvindale?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 180 days in the Wayne forecast zone and Wayne County — the most common reported hazard around Melvindale, mostly in July and June. Next come flooding (70 days) and heavy snow & winter storms (50 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 180 | Jun 2026 | Jul 2, 1997 · 5 deaths · $10 million damage |
| Flooding | 70 | Apr 2025 | Aug 24, 2023 · $3.0 million damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 50 | Mar 2023 | Apr 14, 2018 · $5.0 million damage |
| High winds | 41 | Mar 2026 | Mar 8, 2017 · $25 million damage |
| Flash flooding | 33 | Jul 2025 | Aug 11, 2014 · $1.1 billion damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 20 | Jan 2019 | Jan 29, 2019 · 2 deaths |
| Excessive heat | 17 | Jun 2026 | Jul 17, 2011 · 2 deaths |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 17 | Aug 2015 | Jun 27, 2007 · 1 death |
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 Wayne forecast zone and Wayne County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Melvindale get?
A normal year brings about 31 inches of snow to Melvindale, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Dearborn weather station 4 miles away. The snowiest month is usually January (11.7 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.0 | 0.9 | 4.6 | 11.7 | 7.3 | 5.7 | 0.6 | 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 Melvindale?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KDTX (Detroit, MI), about 33 miles north-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 Melvindale | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KDTX Detroit, MI | 33 mi north-northwest | 2,000 ft | Excellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground |
| KCLE Cleveland, OH | 91 mi southeast | 8,300 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KGRR Grand Rapids, MI | 128 mi west-northwest | 14,000 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 Melvindale
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 80 tornadoes within 25 miles of Melvindale, 27 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in June and July. The strongest was an F4 on April 11, 1965, which passed about 20 miles southwest of town and caused 23 deaths. The most recent was an EF0 on June 18, 2025, which touched down about 21 miles northeast of town.
Hail: 225 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 14 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.00-inch hail on March 27, 1991.
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 Melvindale'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.
Melvindale radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Melvindale, MI?
KDTX (Detroit, MI), about 33 miles north-northwest. KCLE (Cleveland, OH) is 91 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Melvindale?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Melvindale the lowest scan from KDTX is about 2,000 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Melvindale 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 Melvindale, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
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