Parchment, MI Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Parchment, Kalamazoo County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Parchment?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 114 days in the Kalamazoo forecast zone and Kalamazoo County — the most common reported hazard around Parchment, mostly in June and August. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (83 days) and high winds (10 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 114 | Jun 2026 | Jun 13, 2022 · $2.0 million damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 83 | Jan 2026 | Feb 24, 2016 · $25,000 damage |
| High winds | 10 | Dec 2021 | Mar 8, 2017 · $13 million damage |
| Flooding | 7 | May 2020 | Sep 13, 2008 · $11 million damage |
| Flash flooding | 7 | Jun 2010 | Aug 23, 2002 · $210,000 damage |
| Ice storms & sleet | 4 | Feb 2023 | Feb 22, 2023 · $250,000 damage |
| Blizzards | 4 | Dec 2022 | — |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 3 | Apr 2011 | Sep 19, 1997 · $20,000 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 Kalamazoo forecast zone and Kalamazoo County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
Which radars cover Parchment?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KGRR (Grand Rapids, MI), about 39 miles north. 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 Parchment | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KGRR Grand Rapids, MI | 39 mi north | 2,600 ft | Excellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground |
| KIWX Fort Wayne, IN | 67 mi south | 5,400 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KDTX Detroit, MI | 110 mi east-northeast | 11,100 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 Parchment
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 78 tornadoes within 25 miles of Parchment, 20 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in May and June. The strongest was an F4 on April 2, 1977, which passed about 3 miles south-southeast of town. The most recent was an EF1 on May 15, 2025, which passed about 15 miles north-northwest of town.
Hail: 134 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 23 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.50-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 Parchment'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.
Parchment radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Parchment, MI?
KGRR (Grand Rapids, MI), about 39 miles north. KIWX (Fort Wayne, IN) is 67 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Parchment?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Parchment the lowest scan from KGRR is about 2,600 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Parchment 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 Parchment, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Kalamazoo, MI radar 4 mi
- Galesburg, MI radar 8 mi
- Plainwell, MI radar 9 mi
- Portage, MI radar 9 mi
- Otsego, MI radar 11 mi
- Mattawan, MI radar 14 mi
- Vicksburg, MI radar 14 mi
- Schoolcraft, MI radar 15 mi
- Springfield, MI radar 17 mi
- Battle Creek, MI radar 17 mi