Vassar, MI Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Vassar, Tuscola County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Vassar?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 108 days in the Tuscola forecast zone and Tuscola County — the most common reported hazard around Vassar, mostly in July and June. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (54 days) and high winds (28 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 108 | Jun 2026 | May 31, 1998 · $100,000 damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 54 | Feb 2023 | Apr 14, 2018 · $1.0 million damage |
| High winds | 28 | Mar 2026 | Mar 8, 2017 · $7.0 million damage |
| Flooding | 18 | Jan 2020 | May 25, 2019 · $4.2 million damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 14 | Jan 2026 | Feb 3, 2007 · $25,000 damage |
| Excessive heat | 14 | Jun 2026 | — |
| Ice storms & sleet | 7 | Jan 2020 | Dec 21, 2013 · $3.0 million damage |
| Blizzards | 3 | Feb 2011 | — |
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 Tuscola forecast zone and Tuscola County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Vassar get?
A normal year brings about 49 inches of snow to Vassar, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Millington 3 Se weather station 7.8 miles away. The snowiest month is usually January (13.7 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.2 | 3.4 | 12.2 | 13.7 | 10.5 | 6.4 | 2.1 | 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 Vassar?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KDTX (Detroit, MI), about 47 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.
| Radar | Distance | Lowest beam over Vassar | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KDTX Detroit, MI | 47 mi south | 3,200 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KGRR Grand Rapids, MI | 105 mi west-southwest | 10,300 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KAPX Gaylord, MI | 120 mi north-northwest | 12,800 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 Vassar
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 72 tornadoes within 25 miles of Vassar, 23 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in June and August. The strongest was an F5 on June 8, 1953, which passed about 15 miles south-southeast of town and caused 116 deaths. The most recent was an EF0 on May 17, 2024, which touched down about 20 miles northeast of town.
Hail: 159 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 15 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 3.50-inch hail on September 2, 1984.
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 Vassar'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.
Vassar radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Vassar, MI?
KDTX (Detroit, MI), about 47 miles south. KGRR (Grand Rapids, MI) is 105 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Vassar?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Vassar the lowest scan from KDTX is about 3,200 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Vassar 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 Vassar, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Millington, MI radar 7 mi
- Reese, MI radar 8 mi
- Frankenmuth, MI radar 9 mi
- Caro, MI radar 12 mi
- Birch Run, MI radar 14 mi
- Clio, MI radar 16 mi
- Mount Morris, MI radar 19 mi
- Saginaw, MI radar 19 mi
- Zilwaukee, MI radar 19 mi
- Montrose, MI radar 21 mi