Rapid City, MI Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Rapid City, Kalkaska County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Rapid City?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged heavy snow or a winter storm on 137 days in the Kalkaska forecast zone and Kalkaska County — the most common reported hazard around Rapid City, mostly in December and January. Next come damaging thunderstorm winds (30 days) and blizzards (6 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 137 | Mar 2026 | Mar 2, 2012 · $250,000 damage |
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 30 | Aug 2021 | Aug 2, 2015 · $540,000 damage |
| Blizzards | 6 | Dec 2022 | — |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 5 | Jan 2026 | — |
| High winds | 4 | Dec 2021 | Dec 16, 2021 · $10,000 damage |
| Ice storms & sleet | 4 | Feb 2008 | — |
| Excessive heat | 2 | Jun 2018 | — |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 2 | Jun 2005 | — |
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 Kalkaska forecast zone and Kalkaska County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Rapid City get?
A normal year brings about 132 inches of snow to Rapid City, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Kalkaska weather station 9.5 miles away. The snowiest month is usually January (38.3 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.0 | 17.1 | 29.7 | 38.3 | 24.8 | 13.7 | 6.8 | 0.7 |
Normal snowfall in inches. TALON Pro compares this season's snow at your location with these normals as winter goes on.
Which radars cover Rapid City?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KAPX (Gaylord, MI), about 28 miles east. 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 Rapid City | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KAPX Gaylord, MI | 28 mi east | 1,700 ft | Excellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground |
| KGRR Grand Rapids, MI | 135 mi south | 15,300 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KGRB Green Bay, WI | 141 mi west | 16,400 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 Rapid City
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 27 tornadoes within 25 miles of Rapid City, 9 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in July and September. The strongest was an F4 on April 3, 1956, which passed about 17 miles west-northwest of town and caused 1 death. The most recent was a tornado of unknown strength on September 22, 2025, which touched down about 25 miles west-southwest of town.
Hail: 76 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 4 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 3.00-inch hail on July 8, 2016.
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 Rapid City'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.
Rapid City radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Rapid City, MI?
KAPX (Gaylord, MI), about 28 miles east. KGRR (Grand Rapids, MI) is 135 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Rapid City?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Rapid City the lowest scan from KAPX is about 1,700 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Rapid City 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 Rapid City, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Elk Rapids, MI radar 7 mi
- Kalkaska, MI radar 9 mi
- Bellaire, MI radar 10 mi
- Mancelona, MI radar 12 mi
- Traverse City, MI radar 16 mi
- Kingsley, MI radar 21 mi
- East Jordan, MI radar 23 mi
- Boyne City, MI radar 29 mi
- Manton, MI radar 30 mi
- Grayling, MI radar 31 mi