Vandercook Lake, MI Live Doppler Radar

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

Open live radar for Vandercook LakeWhat TALON shows

What weather hits Vandercook Lake?

Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 107 days in the Jackson forecast zone and Jackson County — the most common reported hazard around Vandercook Lake, mostly in July and August. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (51 days) and high winds (12 days).

HazardDays reportedMost recentWorst on record
Damaging thunderstorm winds107May 2026Aug 12, 2021 · $200,000 damage
Heavy snow & winter storms51Nov 2025Nov 29, 2011 · $1.0 million damage
High winds12Dec 2021Mar 8, 2017 · $10 million damage
Flooding6Apr 2013Apr 17, 2013 · $3.0 million damage
Ice storms & sleet5Feb 2023Feb 22, 2023 · $1.0 million damage
Flash flooding5Jul 2011Jul 28, 2011 · $550,000 damage
Blizzards1Jan 1999—

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 Jackson forecast zone and Jackson County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.

Which radars cover Vandercook Lake?

The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KDTX (Detroit, MI), about 58 miles 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.

RadarDistanceLowest beam over Vandercook LakeView
KDTX
Detroit, MI		58 mi northeast4,400 ftGood — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly
KGRR
Grand Rapids, MI		76 mi northwest6,400 ftFair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation
KIWX
Fort Wayne, IN		89 mi southwest8,000 ftFair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation

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 Vandercook Lake

Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 70 tornadoes within 25 miles of Vandercook Lake, 23 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in June and July. The strongest was an F4 on April 11, 1965, which passed about 20 miles south-southeast of town and caused 23 deaths. The most recent was an EF1 on May 15, 2025, which touched down about 22 miles northeast of town.

Hail: 129 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 14 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.25-inch hail on June 9, 2004.

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 Vandercook Lake'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.

Vandercook Lake radar FAQ

Where is the nearest weather radar to Vandercook Lake, MI?

KDTX (Detroit, MI), about 58 miles northeast. KGRR (Grand Rapids, MI) is 76 miles away and also covers the area.

Does radar show snow in Vandercook Lake?

Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Vandercook Lake the lowest scan from KDTX is about 4,400 ft up.

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

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