Grand Rapids, OH Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Grand Rapids, Wood County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Grand Rapids?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 152 days in the Wood forecast zone and Wood County — the most common reported hazard around Grand Rapids, mostly in June and July. Next come high winds (36 days) and heavy snow & winter storms (35 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 152 | May 2026 | Jul 8, 2003 · $2.5 million damage |
| High winds | 36 | Jan 2024 | Sep 14, 2008 · $6.5 million damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 35 | Dec 2022 | Dec 22, 2004 · $1.8 million damage |
| Flooding | 21 | May 2021 | Jan 4, 2005 · $2.1 million damage |
| Flash flooding | 13 | Jun 2006 | Jun 21, 2006 · $750,000 damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 10 | Dec 2022 | Feb 2, 1996 · $100,000 damage |
| Ice storms & sleet | 5 | Feb 2025 | Jan 5, 2005 · $6.2 million damage |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 5 | Jun 2019 | Jul 21, 1998 · $250,000 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 Wood forecast zone and Wood County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Grand Rapids get?
A normal year brings about 25 inches of snow to Grand Rapids, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Napoleon weather station 12.9 miles away. The snowiest month is usually January (9.5 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.0 | 0.4 | 4.5 | 9.5 | 6.0 | 4.3 | 0.0 | 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 Grand Rapids?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KDTX (Detroit, MI), about 92 miles north-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 Grand Rapids | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KDTX Detroit, MI | 92 mi north-northeast | 8,500 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KIWX Fort Wayne, IN | 95 mi west | 8,900 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KCLE Cleveland, OH | 104 mi east | 10,200 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 Grand Rapids
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 68 tornadoes within 25 miles of Grand Rapids, 20 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in June and May. The strongest was an F4 on April 11, 1965, which passed about 23 miles northeast of town and caused 18 deaths. The most recent was a tornado of unknown strength on May 7, 2024, which touched down about 20 miles south-southwest of town.
Hail: 209 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 13 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.50-inch hail on May 9, 2000.
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 Grand Rapids'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.
Grand Rapids radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Grand Rapids, OH?
KDTX (Detroit, MI), about 92 miles north-northeast. KIWX (Fort Wayne, IN) is 95 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Grand Rapids?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Grand Rapids the lowest scan from KDTX is about 8,500 ft up, so light snow from shallow clouds can be under-shown — check NWS winter alerts too.
Is TALON's radar for Grand Rapids 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 Grand Rapids, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Weston, OH radar 5 mi
- Liberty Center, OH radar 8 mi
- Whitehouse, OH radar 9 mi
- Haskins, OH radar 9 mi
- Waterville, OH radar 10 mi
- Bowling Green, OH radar 11 mi
- Swanton, OH radar 13 mi
- Napoleon, OH radar 13 mi
- Deshler, OH radar 14 mi
- Delta, OH radar 15 mi