Painesdale, MI Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Painesdale, Houghton County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Painesdale?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged heavy snow or a winter storm on 200 days in the Houghton forecast zone and Houghton County — the most common reported hazard around Painesdale, mostly in December and January. Next come high winds (51 days) and damaging thunderstorm winds (48 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 200 | Apr 2026 | Nov 9, 2018 · 1 death · $20,000 damage |
| High winds | 51 | May 2026 | Nov 11, 1998 · $1.0 million damage |
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 48 | Jun 2026 | Jul 21, 2016 · $80,000 damage |
| Blizzards | 30 | Jan 2026 | Jan 29, 1996 · $25,000 damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 25 | Jan 2026 | — |
| Flooding | 18 | Apr 2026 | Apr 12, 2023 · $18 million damage |
| Flash flooding | 7 | Jul 2025 | Jun 17, 2018 · 1 death · $100 million damage |
| Ice storms & sleet | 5 | Apr 2023 | Mar 22, 2022 · $10,000 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 Houghton forecast zone and Houghton County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
Which radars cover Painesdale?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KMQT (Marquette, MI), about 64 miles east-southeast. 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 Painesdale | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KMQT Marquette, MI | 64 mi east-southeast | 5,000 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KDLH Duluth, MN | 168 mi west | 21,800 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KGRB Green Bay, WI | 178 mi south | 24,000 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 Painesdale
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 2 tornadoes within 25 miles of Painesdale. The strongest was an F0 on July 11, 1987, which passed about 16 miles northeast of town.
Hail: 52 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 6 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 2.75-inch hail on July 18, 2022.
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 Painesdale'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.
Painesdale radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Painesdale, MI?
KMQT (Marquette, MI), about 64 miles east-southeast. KDLH (Duluth, MN) is 168 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Painesdale?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Painesdale the lowest scan from KMQT is about 5,000 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Painesdale 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 Painesdale, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Houghton, MI radar 7 mi
- Hancock, MI radar 7 mi
- Lake Linden, MI radar 16 mi
- Laurium, MI radar 17 mi
- Baraga, MI radar 20 mi
- L'Anse, MI radar 23 mi
- Ontonagon, MI radar 33 mi
- Ishpeming, MI radar 62 mi