Royal Oak, MI Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Royal Oak, Oakland County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Royal Oak?
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 Royal Oak, 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 Royal Oak get?
A normal year brings about 36 inches of snow to Royal Oak, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Pontiac Wwtp weather station 10.4 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 Royal Oak?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KDTX (Detroit, MI), about 21 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 Royal Oak | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KDTX Detroit, MI | 21 mi northwest | 1,200 ft | Excellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground |
| KCLE Cleveland, OH | 101 mi southeast | 9,700 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KGRR Grand Rapids, MI | 124 mi west-northwest | 13,500 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 Royal Oak
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 76 tornadoes within 25 miles of Royal Oak, 24 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in July and June. The strongest was an F4 on May 8, 1964, which passed about 20 miles northeast of town and caused 11 deaths. The most recent was an EF0 on June 18, 2025, which touched down about 11 miles east of town.
Hail: 257 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 7 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.00-inch hail on November 13, 1955.
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 Royal Oak'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.
Royal Oak radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Royal Oak, MI?
KDTX (Detroit, MI), about 21 miles northwest. KCLE (Cleveland, OH) is 101 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Royal Oak?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Royal Oak the lowest scan from KDTX is about 1,200 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Royal Oak 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 Royal Oak, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.