Vanderbilt, MI Live Doppler Radar

Live radar for Vanderbilt, Otsego County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.

Open live radar for VanderbiltWhat TALON shows

What weather hits Vanderbilt?

Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged heavy snow or a winter storm on 138 days in the Otsego forecast zone and Otsego County — the most common reported hazard around Vanderbilt, mostly in December and January. Next come damaging thunderstorm winds (41 days) and high winds (10 days).

HazardDays reportedMost recentWorst on record
Heavy snow & winter storms138Mar 2026Mar 2, 2012 · $215,000 damage
Damaging thunderstorm winds41Jul 2024Aug 28, 2018 · $1.2 million damage
High winds10Mar 2025Dec 16, 2021 · $30,000 damage
Extreme cold & wind chill7Feb 2026—
Blizzards6Dec 2022Feb 24, 2019 · $5,000 damage
Ice storms & sleet5Mar 2026—
Lightning casualties & damage4Jul 2009Jul 22, 2009 · $500,000 damage
Excessive heat2Jun 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 Otsego forecast zone and Otsego County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.

How much snow does Vanderbilt get?

A normal year brings about 140 inches of snow to Vanderbilt, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Gaylord weather station 8 miles away. The snowiest month is usually January (37.4 in).

OctNovDecJanFebMarAprMay
2.519.231.437.426.414.98.00.5

Normal snowfall in inches. TALON Pro compares this season's snow at your location with these normals as winter goes on.

Which radars cover Vanderbilt?

The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KAPX (Gaylord, MI), about 17 miles south. 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.

RadarDistanceLowest beam over VanderbiltView
KAPX
Gaylord, MI		17 mi south900 ftExcellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground
KGRR
Grand Rapids, MI		162 mi south-southwest20,500 ftLimited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms
KMQT
Marquette, MI		169 mi northwest22,000 ftLimited — 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 Vanderbilt

Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 22 tornadoes within 25 miles of Vanderbilt, 3 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in September and August. The strongest was an EF3 on May 20, 2022, which passed about 8 miles south-southeast of town and caused 2 deaths.

Hail: 57 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 6 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 Vanderbilt'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.

Vanderbilt radar FAQ

Where is the nearest weather radar to Vanderbilt, MI?

KAPX (Gaylord, MI), about 17 miles south. KGRR (Grand Rapids, MI) is 162 miles away and also covers the area.

Does radar show snow in Vanderbilt?

Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Vanderbilt the lowest scan from KAPX is about 900 ft up.

Is TALON's radar for Vanderbilt 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 Vanderbilt, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.

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