Otter Lake, MI Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Otter Lake, Lapeer County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Otter Lake?
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 Otter Lake, 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 Otter Lake get?
A normal year brings about 49 inches of snow to Otter Lake, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Millington 3 Se weather station 4.9 miles away. The snowiest month is usually January (13.7 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.2 | 3.4 | 12.2 | 13.7 | 10.5 | 6.4 | 2.1 | 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 Otter Lake?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KDTX (Detroit, MI), about 35 miles south. 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 Otter Lake | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KDTX Detroit, MI | 35 mi south | 2,300 ft | Excellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground |
| KGRR Grand Rapids, MI | 108 mi west | 10,700 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KAPX Gaylord, MI | 133 mi north-northwest | 14,900 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 Otter Lake
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 90 tornadoes within 25 miles of Otter Lake, 26 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in June and August. The strongest was an F5 on June 8, 1953, which passed about 3 miles south-southeast of town and caused 116 deaths. The most recent was an EF0 on May 15, 2025, which touched down about 17 miles south of town.
Hail: 167 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 13 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 3.50-inch hail on September 2, 1984.
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 Otter Lake'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.
Otter Lake radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Otter Lake, MI?
KDTX (Detroit, MI), about 35 miles south. KGRR (Grand Rapids, MI) is 108 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Otter Lake?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Otter Lake the lowest scan from KDTX is about 2,300 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Otter Lake 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 Otter Lake, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Millington, MI radar 5 mi
- Vassar, MI radar 12 mi
- Davison, MI radar 13 mi
- Lapeer, MI radar 13 mi
- North Branch, MI radar 14 mi
- Mount Morris, MI radar 14 mi
- Clio, MI radar 14 mi
- Frankenmuth, MI radar 16 mi
- Burton, MI radar 17 mi
- Birch Run, MI radar 17 mi