Riverdale, MI Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Riverdale, Gratiot County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Riverdale?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 53 days in the Gratiot forecast zone and Gratiot County — the most common reported hazard around Riverdale, mostly in July and June. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (49 days) and high winds (8 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 53 | Jun 2026 | May 31, 1998 · $610,000 damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 49 | Nov 2025 | Apr 14, 2018 · $100,000 damage |
| High winds | 8 | Feb 2019 | Mar 8, 2017 · $10 million damage |
| Flooding | 6 | May 2020 | Apr 17, 2013 · $3.0 million damage |
| Flash flooding | 5 | Jul 2011 | May 18, 2000 · $150,000 damage |
| Ice storms & sleet | 4 | Dec 2015 | Feb 16, 2006 · $1.0 million damage |
| Blizzards | 1 | Jan 1999 | — |
| Excessive heat | 1 | Jun 2018 | — |
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 Gratiot forecast zone and Gratiot County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Riverdale get?
A normal year brings about 39 inches of snow to Riverdale, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Alma weather station 9.7 miles away. The snowiest month is usually January (10.7 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.3 | 2.7 | 8.2 | 10.7 | 9.9 | 5.4 | 2.1 | 0.0 |
Normal snowfall in inches. TALON Pro compares this season's snow at your location with these normals as winter goes on.
Which radars cover Riverdale?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KGRR (Grand Rapids, MI), about 49 miles southwest. 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 Riverdale | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KGRR Grand Rapids, MI | 49 mi southwest | 3,500 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KDTX Detroit, MI | 84 mi southeast | 7,400 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KAPX Gaylord, MI | 105 mi north | 10,400 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 Riverdale
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 44 tornadoes within 25 miles of Riverdale, 15 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in May and June. The strongest was an F5 on April 3, 1956, which passed about 24 miles west of town and caused 17 deaths. The most recent was an EF0 on March 30, 2025, which touched down about 25 miles south-southwest of town.
Hail: 75 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 3 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 2.75-inch hail on July 4, 2012.
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 Riverdale'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.
Riverdale radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Riverdale, MI?
KGRR (Grand Rapids, MI), about 49 miles southwest. KDTX (Detroit, MI) is 84 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Riverdale?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Riverdale the lowest scan from KGRR is about 3,500 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Riverdale 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 Riverdale, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
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