Vineyard Lake, MI Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Vineyard Lake, Jackson County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Vineyard 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 Vineyard Lake, mostly in July and August. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (51 days) and high winds (12 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 107 | May 2026 | Aug 12, 2021 · $200,000 damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 51 | Nov 2025 | Nov 29, 2011 · $1.0 million damage |
| High winds | 12 | Dec 2021 | Mar 8, 2017 · $10 million damage |
| Flooding | 6 | Apr 2013 | Apr 17, 2013 · $3.0 million damage |
| Ice storms & sleet | 5 | Feb 2023 | Feb 22, 2023 · $1.0 million damage |
| Flash flooding | 5 | Jul 2011 | Jul 28, 2011 · $550,000 damage |
| Blizzards | 1 | Jan 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 Vineyard Lake?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KDTX (Detroit, MI), about 57 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.
| Radar | Distance | Lowest beam over Vineyard Lake | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KDTX Detroit, MI | 57 mi northeast | 4,200 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KGRR Grand Rapids, MI | 88 mi northwest | 7,900 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KIWX Fort Wayne, IN | 92 mi west-southwest | 8,400 ft | Fair — 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 Vineyard Lake
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 72 tornadoes within 25 miles of Vineyard Lake, 24 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in June and May. The strongest was an F4 on April 11, 1965, which passed about 11 miles south-southeast of town and caused 23 deaths. The most recent was an EF0 on July 26, 2023, which touched down about 22 miles north of town.
Hail: 168 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 13 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 Vineyard 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.
Vineyard Lake radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Vineyard Lake, MI?
KDTX (Detroit, MI), about 57 miles northeast. KGRR (Grand Rapids, MI) is 88 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Vineyard Lake?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Vineyard Lake the lowest scan from KDTX is about 4,200 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Vineyard 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 Vineyard Lake, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Brooklyn, MI radar 2 mi
- Manchester, MI radar 10 mi
- Grass Lake, MI radar 11 mi
- Clinton, MI radar 13 mi
- Jackson, MI radar 14 mi
- Tecumseh, MI radar 15 mi
- Adrian, MI radar 16 mi
- Hudson, MI radar 17 mi
- Chelsea, MI radar 18 mi
- Concord, MI radar 23 mi