Rapid River, MI Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Rapid River, Delta County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Rapid River?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged heavy snow or a winter storm on 90 days in the Delta forecast zone and Delta County — the most common reported hazard around Rapid River, mostly in December and February. Next come damaging thunderstorm winds (51 days) and extreme cold & wind chill (34 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 90 | Mar 2026 | Mar 2, 2012 · $15,000 damage |
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 51 | Jun 2025 | Oct 5, 1997 · $2.5 million damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 34 | Jan 2026 | Mar 16, 2020 · 1 death |
| Flooding | 9 | Apr 2026 | Apr 20, 1996 · $800,000 damage |
| High winds | 9 | Nov 2022 | Nov 10, 1998 · $2.1 million damage |
| Ice storms & sleet | 9 | Apr 2026 | Apr 4, 2023 · $10,000 damage |
| Blizzards | 5 | Mar 2026 | — |
| Excessive heat | 4 | Jun 2026 | — |
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 Delta forecast zone and Delta County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Rapid River get?
A normal year brings about 43 inches of snow to Rapid River, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Cornell 5Se weather station 11.2 miles away. The snowiest month is usually January (10.3 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.4 | 3.7 | 8.7 | 10.3 | 8.4 | 7.9 | 3.1 | 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 Rapid River?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KMQT (Marquette, MI), about 50 miles north-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 Rapid River | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KMQT Marquette, MI | 50 mi north-northwest | 3,600 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KGRB Green Bay, WI | 113 mi south-southwest | 11,600 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KAPX Gaylord, MI | 130 mi east-southeast | 14,500 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 River
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 12 tornadoes within 25 miles of Rapid River, 3 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in July and August. The strongest was an F3 on July 11, 1987, which passed about 4 miles south of town. The most recent was an EF1 on August 31, 2020, which touched down about 15 miles southwest of town.
Hail: 54 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 6 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 2.50-inch hail on May 25, 2008.
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 River'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 River radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Rapid River, MI?
KMQT (Marquette, MI), about 50 miles north-northwest. KGRB (Green Bay, WI) is 113 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Rapid River?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Rapid River the lowest scan from KMQT is about 3,600 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Rapid River 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 River, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Gladstone, MI radar 6 mi
- Escanaba, MI radar 14 mi
- Manistique, MI radar 35 mi
- Munising, MI radar 39 mi
- Norway, MI radar 46 mi
- Marquette, MI radar 48 mi
- Negaunee, MI radar 49 mi
- Ishpeming, MI radar 50 mi
- Iron Mountain, MI radar 53 mi
- Kingsford, MI radar 55 mi