Rochester, MI Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Rochester, Oakland County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Rochester?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 196 days in the Oakland forecast zone and Oakland County — the most common reported hazard around Rochester, mostly in July and June. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (59 days) and high winds (40 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 196 | Jun 2026 | Aug 24, 2023 · $7.0 million damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 59 | Jan 2024 | Apr 14, 2018 · $6.0 million damage |
| High winds | 40 | Mar 2026 | May 4, 2018 · 1 death · $5.0 million damage |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 34 | May 2021 | Jul 29, 1996 · 1 death |
| Flash flooding | 24 | Jul 2025 | Jun 18, 1996 · 1 death · $500,000 damage |
| Excessive heat | 18 | Jun 2026 | Jun 28, 2002 · 2 deaths |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 15 | Jan 2026 | Jan 4, 1999 · 3 deaths |
| Flooding | 13 | Apr 2026 | Apr 4, 2026 · $500,000 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 Oakland forecast zone and Oakland County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Rochester get?
A normal year brings about 36 inches of snow to Rochester, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Pontiac Wwtp weather station 7.6 miles away. The snowiest month is usually January (12.1 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.1 | 1.7 | 8.1 | 12.1 | 9.0 | 4.1 | 0.9 | 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 Rochester?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KDTX (Detroit, MI), about 18 miles west. 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 Rochester | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KDTX Detroit, MI | 18 mi west | 1,000 ft | Excellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground |
| KCLE Cleveland, OH | 109 mi southeast | 11,000 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KGRR Grand Rapids, MI | 124 mi west | 13,400 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 Rochester
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 70 tornadoes within 25 miles of Rochester, 17 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in July and June. The strongest was an F4 on May 8, 1964, which passed about 15 miles east of town and caused 11 deaths. The most recent was an EF0 on June 18, 2025, which touched down about 12 miles southeast of town.
Hail: 219 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 5 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.50-inch hail on July 26, 1978.
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 Rochester'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.
Rochester radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Rochester, MI?
KDTX (Detroit, MI), about 18 miles west. KCLE (Cleveland, OH) is 109 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Rochester?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Rochester the lowest scan from KDTX is about 1,000 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Rochester 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 Rochester, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Rochester Hills, MI radar 3 mi
- Utica, MI radar 6 mi
- Auburn Hills, MI radar 6 mi
- Troy, MI radar 7 mi
- Sterling Heights, MI radar 9 mi
- Pontiac, MI radar 9 mi
- Lake Orion, MI radar 9 mi
- Bloomfield Hills, MI radar 10 mi
- Romeo, MI radar 10 mi
- Clawson, MI radar 10 mi