Wakefield, MI Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Wakefield, Gogebic County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Wakefield?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged heavy snow or a winter storm on 190 days in the Gogebic forecast zone and Gogebic County — the most common reported hazard around Wakefield, mostly in December and February. Next come damaging thunderstorm winds (66 days) and extreme cold & wind chill (51 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 190 | Apr 2026 | Nov 27, 2019 · $20,000 damage |
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 66 | Jun 2026 | Aug 23, 1998 · 1 death · $5,000 damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 51 | Jan 2026 | — |
| High winds | 16 | May 2022 | Nov 11, 1998 · $1.0 million damage |
| Flooding | 11 | Apr 2023 | Apr 12, 2023 · $20 million damage |
| Ice storms & sleet | 8 | Apr 2026 | Apr 26, 2017 · $100,000 damage |
| Blizzards | 5 | Nov 2025 | — |
| Excessive heat | 5 | Jul 2025 | — |
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 Gogebic forecast zone and Gogebic County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Wakefield get?
A normal year brings about 186 inches of snow to Wakefield, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Ironwood weather station 12.2 miles away. The snowiest month is usually December (43.6 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6.0 | 24.1 | 43.6 | 43.1 | 30.9 | 23.9 | 11.7 | 1.9 |
Normal snowfall in inches. TALON Pro compares this season's snow at your location with these normals as winter goes on.
Which radars cover Wakefield?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KDLH (Duluth, MN), about 111 miles west-northwest. 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 Wakefield | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KDLH Duluth, MN | 111 mi west-northwest | 11,200 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KMQT Marquette, MI | 114 mi east | 11,700 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KGRB Green Bay, WI | 163 mi south-southeast | 20,700 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 Wakefield
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 10 tornadoes within 25 miles of Wakefield, 2 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in July and June. The strongest was an F3 on July 7, 1970, which passed about 16 miles south of town. The most recent was an EF1 on July 11, 2016, which touched down about 11 miles southwest of town.
Hail: 45 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 5 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.00-inch hail on July 28, 2006.
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 Wakefield'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.
Wakefield radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Wakefield, MI?
KDLH (Duluth, MN), about 111 miles west-northwest. KMQT (Marquette, MI) is 114 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Wakefield?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Wakefield the lowest scan from KDLH is about 11,200 ft up, so light snow from shallow clouds can be under-shown — check NWS winter alerts too.
Is TALON's radar for Wakefield 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 Wakefield, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Bessemer, MI radar 6 mi
- Ironwood, MI radar 10 mi
- Ontonagon, MI radar 40 mi