Prescott, MI Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Prescott, Ogemaw County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Prescott?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged heavy snow or a winter storm on 58 days in the Ogemaw forecast zone and Ogemaw County — the most common reported hazard around Prescott, mostly in January and February. Next come damaging thunderstorm winds (52 days) and extreme cold & wind chill (7 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 58 | Mar 2026 | Mar 2, 2012 · $50,000 damage |
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 52 | Aug 2025 | May 27, 2018 · 1 death · $15,000 damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 7 | Feb 2026 | — |
| High winds | 5 | Dec 2021 | Nov 13, 2005 · $20,000 damage |
| Blizzards | 3 | Jan 1999 | — |
| Ice storms & sleet | 3 | Apr 2013 | Apr 11, 2013 · $5,000 damage |
| Excessive heat | 2 | Jun 2018 | — |
| Flooding | 2 | May 2020 | May 18, 2020 · $450,000 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 Ogemaw forecast zone and Ogemaw County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Prescott get?
A normal year brings about 53 inches of snow to Prescott, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the W Branch 3Se weather station 14 miles away. The snowiest month is usually January (14.7 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.3 | 3.8 | 12.6 | 14.7 | 11.7 | 6.9 | 2.9 | 0.1 |
Normal snowfall in inches. TALON Pro compares this season's snow at your location with these normals as winter goes on.
Which radars cover Prescott?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KAPX (Gaylord, MI), about 63 miles 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 Prescott | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KAPX Gaylord, MI | 63 mi northwest | 4,900 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KDTX Detroit, MI | 106 mi south-southeast | 10,400 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KGRR Grand Rapids, MI | 121 mi southwest | 12,800 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 Prescott
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 40 tornadoes within 25 miles of Prescott, 11 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in June and July. The strongest was an F3 on March 30, 1976, which passed about 5 miles north of town and caused 1 death. The most recent was an EF1 on June 22, 2024, which passed about 17 miles west-southwest of town.
Hail: 79 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 7 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.50-inch hail on August 2, 2015.
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 Prescott'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.
Prescott radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Prescott, MI?
KAPX (Gaylord, MI), about 63 miles northwest. KDTX (Detroit, MI) is 106 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Prescott?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Prescott the lowest scan from KAPX is about 4,900 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Prescott 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 Prescott, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Standish, MI radar 15 mi
- West Branch, MI radar 16 mi
- Tawas City, MI radar 21 mi
- Pinconning, MI radar 23 mi
- East Tawas, MI radar 23 mi
- Gladwin, MI radar 31 mi
- Beaverton, MI radar 35 mi
- Sebewaing, MI radar 40 mi
- Essexville, MI radar 40 mi
- Pigeon, MI radar 41 mi