Vernon, MI Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Vernon, Shiawassee County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Vernon?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 102 days in the Shiawassee forecast zone and Shiawassee County — the most common reported hazard around Vernon, mostly in June and July. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (49 days) and high winds (24 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 102 | Jun 2026 | May 31, 1998 · $630,000 damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 49 | Mar 2023 | Apr 14, 2018 · $1.0 million damage |
| High winds | 24 | Mar 2026 | Mar 8, 2017 · $7.0 million damage |
| Excessive heat | 14 | Jun 2026 | — |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 13 | Jan 2019 | Feb 3, 2007 · $25,000 damage |
| Flooding | 12 | Jan 2020 | Sep 14, 2008 · $50,000 damage |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 7 | Jul 2024 | Sep 10, 2002 · $75,000 damage |
| Ice storms & sleet | 6 | Jan 2020 | Dec 21, 2013 · $3.0 million 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 Shiawassee forecast zone and Shiawassee County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Vernon get?
A normal year brings about 38 inches of snow to Vernon, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Owosso Wwtp weather station 9.1 miles away. The snowiest month is usually January (12.4 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.2 | 2.1 | 9.9 | 12.4 | 8.9 | 4.0 | 0.8 | 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 Vernon?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KDTX (Detroit, MI), about 33 miles east-southeast. 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 Vernon | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KDTX Detroit, MI | 33 mi east-southeast | 2,100 ft | Excellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground |
| KGRR Grand Rapids, MI | 77 mi west | 6,500 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KIWX Fort Wayne, IN | 139 mi southwest | 16,000 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 Vernon
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 108 tornadoes within 25 miles of Vernon, 34 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in May and August. The strongest was an F5 on June 8, 1953, which passed about 14 miles northeast of town and caused 116 deaths. The most recent was an EF0 on May 15, 2025, which passed about 14 miles north of town.
Hail: 166 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 6 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.50-inch hail on July 26, 1978.
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 Vernon'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.
Vernon radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Vernon, MI?
KDTX (Detroit, MI), about 33 miles east-southeast. KGRR (Grand Rapids, MI) is 77 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Vernon?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Vernon the lowest scan from KDTX is about 2,100 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Vernon 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 Vernon, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Durand, MI radar 3 mi
- Corunna, MI radar 5 mi
- Owosso, MI radar 8 mi
- Swartz Creek, MI radar 11 mi
- Perry, MI radar 12 mi
- Flushing, MI radar 13 mi
- Linden, MI radar 15 mi
- Laingsburg, MI radar 16 mi
- Chesaning, MI radar 17 mi
- Montrose, MI radar 18 mi