North Branch, MI Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for North Branch, Lapeer County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits North Branch?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 124 days in the Lapeer forecast zone and Lapeer County — the most common reported hazard around North Branch, mostly in July and June. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (58 days) and high winds (29 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 124 | Jun 2026 | Aug 3, 2022 · 1 death |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 58 | Feb 2025 | Apr 14, 2018 · $1.0 million damage |
| High winds | 29 | Mar 2026 | Mar 8, 2017 · $10 million damage |
| Excessive heat | 14 | Jun 2026 | — |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 13 | Jan 2019 | Feb 3, 2007 · $25,000 damage |
| Flooding | 8 | Jan 2020 | Aug 9, 2009 · $3.0 million damage |
| Flash flooding | 8 | Jul 2017 | Jun 21, 1996 · $5.8 million damage |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 7 | May 2017 | Jul 27, 2000 · $650,000 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 Lapeer forecast zone and Lapeer County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does North Branch get?
A normal year brings about 34 inches of snow to North Branch, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Lapeer Wwtp weather station 13 miles away. The snowiest month is usually January (10.8 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.1 | 1.9 | 7.6 | 10.8 | 8.2 | 4.8 | 1.0 | 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 North Branch?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KDTX (Detroit, MI), about 39 miles south-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.
| Radar | Distance | Lowest beam over North Branch | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KDTX Detroit, MI | 39 mi south-southwest | 2,600 ft | Excellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground |
| KGRR Grand Rapids, MI | 121 mi west | 12,900 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KAPX Gaylord, MI | 139 mi north-northwest | 16,000 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 North Branch
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 61 tornadoes within 25 miles of North Branch, 14 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in June and May. The strongest was an F5 on June 8, 1953, which passed about 12 miles west-southwest of town and caused 116 deaths. The most recent was an EF0 on May 15, 2025, which touched down about 24 miles southwest of town.
Hail: 114 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 15 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 2.75-inch hail on July 20, 2023.
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 North Branch'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.
North Branch radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to North Branch, MI?
KDTX (Detroit, MI), about 39 miles south-southwest. KGRR (Grand Rapids, MI) is 121 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in North Branch?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over North Branch the lowest scan from KDTX is about 2,600 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for North Branch 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 North Branch, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Marlette, MI radar 9 mi
- Brown City, MI radar 10 mi
- Lapeer, MI radar 14 mi
- Imlay City, MI radar 16 mi
- Millington, MI radar 17 mi
- Dryden, MI radar 20 mi
- Capac, MI radar 21 mi
- Caro, MI radar 21 mi
- Yale, MI radar 21 mi
- Davison, MI radar 21 mi