Traverse City, MI Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Traverse City, Grand Traverse County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Traverse City?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged heavy snow or a winter storm on 131 days in the Grand Traverse forecast zone and Grand Traverse County — the most common reported hazard around Traverse City, mostly in January and December. Next come damaging thunderstorm winds (43 days) and flash flooding (12 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 131 | Mar 2026 | Mar 2, 2012 · $5.6 million damage |
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 43 | Jul 2025 | Aug 2, 2015 · $7.8 million damage |
| Flash flooding | 12 | Oct 2023 | Oct 6, 2012 · $1.8 million damage |
| High winds | 8 | Feb 2025 | Dec 16, 2021 · $50,000 damage |
| Flooding | 7 | Oct 2023 | Apr 14, 2014 · $75,000 damage |
| Blizzards | 5 | Feb 2019 | Feb 24, 2019 · $6,000 damage |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 5 | Jun 2025 | Sep 1, 2000 · 1 death |
| Ice storms & sleet | 4 | Feb 2008 | — |
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 Grand Traverse forecast zone and Grand Traverse County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Traverse City get?
A normal year brings about 101 inches of snow to Traverse City, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Traverse City Munson weather station 2.1 miles away. The snowiest month is usually January (32.3 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.1 | 5.6 | 24.6 | 32.3 | 21.4 | 12.3 | 4.7 | 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 Traverse City?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KAPX (Gaylord, MI), about 45 miles east-northeast. 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 Traverse City | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KAPX Gaylord, MI | 45 mi east-northeast | 3,000 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KGRB Green Bay, WI | 125 mi west | 13,500 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KGRR Grand Rapids, MI | 129 mi south | 14,200 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 Traverse City
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 25 tornadoes within 25 miles of Traverse City, 6 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in July and June. The strongest was an F4 on April 3, 1956, which passed about 9 miles northwest of town and caused 1 death. The most recent was a tornado of unknown strength on September 22, 2025, which touched down about 9 miles west of town.
Hail: 74 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 Traverse 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.
Traverse City radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Traverse City, MI?
KAPX (Gaylord, MI), about 45 miles east-northeast. KGRB (Green Bay, WI) is 125 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Traverse City?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Traverse City the lowest scan from KAPX is about 3,000 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Traverse 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 Traverse City, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
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