Grand Traverse County, Michigan
Tornadoes, hail, floods and severe storms recorded here between 1955 and 2026, from NOAA's Storm Events Database. Search an address to see which tornadoes came closest to it.
5
Tornado reports
52
Hail reports
20
Floods since 1996
337
All events
1
Deaths
$17.5M
Property damage
Tornado paths in Grand Traverse County
The part of each tornado’s path NOAA recorded in this county, 5 in all. Zoom in and the paths widen to their surveyed width.
EF0EF1EF2EF3EF4EF5Unrated
Year by year
All storm eventsTornadoes
NOAA's storm database records tornadoes back to 1950 and hail and thunderstorm wind back to 1955, but floods only from 1996 on. Older floods are missing here. For those, the U.S. Geological Survey's stream gauge records and flood reports are the place to look.
Most significant events
The strongest tornadoes, deadliest events and biggest damage here, up to 50.
Tornado F4 Tornado
Tornado F3 Tornado
A father and son were struck by lightning. See narrative below.
Considerable wind damage occurred in central Grand Traverse County, including near and just south of Traverse City. Many trees were downed, causing damage to vehicles and homes. Some roads were difficult to travel for a day or two after the storm.
The most concentrated damage in Grand Traverse County occurred on the Old Mission Peninsula. Many trees were down, and multiple vineyards and orchards suffered substantial damage. Vehicles and buildings were also damaged by felled trees. Across Grand Traverse County, nine buildin…
A temporary dam and de-watering structure was in place alongside the Brown Bridge Dam on the Boardman River. This temporary dam was to assist in drawing down the small lake (Brown Bridge Pond) behind the dam, prior to the permanent removal of Brown Bridge Dam. This temporary dam …
Hail Hail
Hail from half-inch up to penny size near Traverse City West Senior High in Traverse City, MI.
Winter Storm Winter Storm
Highest snowfall totals of 16-20 inches from Lake Ann to Traverse City, with some sleet mixed in, resulting in snow the consistency of wet cement, and snowdrifts as high as 6 feet. At the Fife Lake cooperative observing station, the better portion of the storm total 8.2 inches wa…
Cold/Wind Chill Cold/Wind Chill
Cooperative observer near Fife Lake reported a low temperature of -15F on the morning of the 30th.
Extreme Cold/Wind Chill Extreme Cold/Wind Chill
Apparent temperature of -25F at Traverse City Cherry Capital Airport in Traverse City, MI.
Winter Storm Winter Storm
Cooperative observer near Fife Lake reported 8.4 inches of snow by the morning of the 20th. Wind gusts as high as 51mph at Traverse City Cherry Capital Airport during the morning of the 19th.
Winter Storm Winter Storm
CoCoRaHS observer near Grawn reported 9 inches of snow by the morning of the 11th, with additional reports of up to 9 inches near Interlochen.
Winter Storm Winter Storm
Cocorahs observer 1.3mi SSW of Grawn in western Grand Traverse county reported 7.4 inches of snow by 07:00 on the 29th; an additional 5.8 inches fell by the morning of the 30th, for a storm total of 13.2inches in less than 48hrs. Additional reports of 10 inches or more around the…
Winter Storm Winter Storm
Cocorahs observer 1.3mi SSW of Grawn in western Grand Traverse county reported 7.4 inches of snow by 07:00 on the 29th; an additional 5.8 inches fell by the morning of the 30th, for a storm total of 13.2inches in less than 48hrs. Additional reports of 10 inches or more around the…
Winter Storm Winter Storm
Localized snowfall totals of 7-9 inches over 48-72 hours, generally over parts of eastern Grand Traverse county, downstream of Grand Traverse Bay. Some parts of the county saw less than 4 inches through the event.
Winter Storm Winter Storm
As much as 9.5 inches of snow fell over parts of west-central Grand Traverse county thanks to passage of a mesovortex during the early afternoon, followed by north-northeasterly flow lake effect in the late afternoon and evening hours on the 9th.
Tornado EFU Tornado
Video of a brief tornado touchdown in northwest Grand Traverse County north of Long Lake. No damage was reported.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
Emergency Manager for Grand Traverse County reported roof of silo was ripped off, in addition to numerous trees and powerlines down, blocking primary roads.
Hail Hail
Multiple reports of large hail in the Traverse City, MI metro area, including quarter-size hail at UpNorthLive studios west of Traverse City at 0630am, and half dollar size hail at 9&10 studios in downtown Traverse City at 0640am. Hail up to 1.5 inches was reported near Turtle Cr…
Lightning Lightning
Multiple reports of lightning damage in the Traverse City, MI metro area, including significant damage to a large oak tree leading to some structural damage, and a possible structure fire caused by lightning near Long Lake west of Traverse City.
Hail Hail
Nickel size hail reported at M-113 and M-37 in Grand Traverse County, MI.
High Wind High Wind
A 60mph gust was reported at Traverse City Cherry Capital Airport, KTVC, at 615pm. Additional gusts of 60mph or more were recorded at other mesonet sites in the Traverse City area.
Winter Storm Winter Storm
Highest snowfall totals of 10 to 11 inches over portions of Grand Traverse County, per CoCoRaHS and amateur radio reports. A snowfall total of 8.7 inches was reported on the morning of the 12th on Old Mission Peninsula, amid the relatively warm waters of Grand Traverse Bay.
Winter Storm Winter Storm
CoCoRaHS observers in the Traverse City area reported up to 7.2 inches of snow by the morning of December 5th. Wind gusts in the realm of 35-45mph in the Traverse City area through the night resulted in areas of blowing snow.
Winter Storm Winter Storm
On top of snowfall from earlier in the weekend, CoCoRaHS observers in the Traverse City area reported approximately 9 inches of snow ending overnight from December 2-3. 6.5 inches of this fell between 1300EST and 1530ESTon the 2nd.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
Grand Traverse 911 Facebook page reported powerlines down resulting in closure of Williamsburg Road between Crisp Road and Supply Road.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
Thunderstorm wind gust recorded at mesonet station MC112 MDOT site near Acme.
Strong Wind Strong Wind
Traverse City Cherry Capital Airport reported 39mph gust associated with wake low passage.
Strong Wind Strong Wind
Tree limbs downed on Old Mission Peninsula. Damage associated with wake low passage.
Hail Hail
Nickel and dime sized hail accompanied by heavy rain.
Hail Hail
Quarter inch hail in Kingsley.
Hail Hail
Quarter sized hail at the intersection of M-113 and M-186. Time estimated by radar.
Heavy Snow Heavy Snow
Flood Flood
Broadcast media video of street flooding at Spruce and Bay Streets in Traverse City.
Flash Flood Flash Flood
Grand Traverse County Emergency Management reports flooding at several spots in and around downtown Traverse City.
Flood Flood
Photos of water covered roads at intersection of Front Street and Garfield in Traverse City.
Hail Hail
Report of quarter size hail near Front and Division in Traverse City. Spotter also reported lots of tree damage in the area. Time estimated from radar.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
Picture relayed from broadcast media. Trees down in vicinity of 500 block of 8th Street in Traverse City. Broadcast media also relayed additional pictures of downed trees from the Traverse City area. Time estimated from radar.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
Various reports of wind damage, including downed trees and power poles, from mping and social media in this area. Time estimated from radar.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
Asos station ktvc Traverse City - Cherry Capital Airport.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
Mesonet station MC112 Mdot Site.
Hail Hail
Hail about the size of quarters reported on US 131 in Interlochen.
Hail Hail
Hail partially covering US 131.
Hail Hail
Images and video shared on social media of hail covering the ground and around Interlochen.
Flash Flood Flash Flood
South airport road west becoming impassible due to floodwaters at LaFranier road.
Flash Flood Flash Flood
All lanes of Grandview Parkway flooded. Spotter reports that traffic is backing up due to flooding.
Flood Flood
Several reports of standing water in and around Traverse City.
Hail Hail
Trained spotter reports quarter sized hail and vehicle damage one mile north of Chums Corner in Grand Traverse county. Time estimated by radar.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
Broadcast media report of power lines down on Hartman road.
Thunderstorm Wind Thunderstorm Wind
Grand Traverse county central dispatch reports a tree downed on a house near fire station 12 at Silver Lake.
Events by year, as a table
| Year | Events | Tornadoes |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 6 | 0 |
| 2025 | 10 | 1 |
| 2024 | 11 | 0 |
| 2023 | 18 | 0 |
| 2022 | 5 | 0 |
| 2021 | 15 | 0 |
| 2020 | 8 | 0 |
| 2019 | 11 | 0 |
| 2018 | 8 | 0 |
| 2017 | 4 | 0 |
| 2016 | 9 | 0 |
| 2015 | 9 | 0 |
| 2014 | 10 | 0 |
| 2013 | 9 | 0 |
| 2012 | 11 | 0 |
| 2011 | 7 | 0 |
| 2010 | 7 | 0 |
| 2009 | 9 | 0 |
| 2008 | 12 | 0 |
| 2007 | 12 | 0 |
| 2006 | 16 | 0 |
| 2005 | 10 | 0 |
| 2004 | 7 | 0 |
| 2003 | 10 | 0 |
| 2002 | 12 | 0 |
| 2001 | 9 | 0 |
| 2000 | 13 | 0 |
| 1999 | 11 | 0 |
| 1998 | 8 | 0 |
| 1997 | 9 | 0 |
| 1996 | 1 | 0 |
| 1995 | 1 | 0 |
| 1994 | 1 | 0 |
| 1993 | 2 | 0 |
| 1991 | 1 | 0 |
| 1990 | 1 | 0 |
| 1989 | 1 | 0 |
| 1987 | 1 | 0 |
| 1985 | 1 | 0 |
| 1983 | 1 | 0 |
| 1982 | 3 | 0 |
| 1980 | 1 | 0 |
| 1979 | 2 | 0 |
| 1976 | 1 | 0 |
| 1975 | 3 | 0 |
| 1974 | 1 | 0 |
| 1973 | 1 | 0 |
| 1972 | 1 | 0 |
| 1971 | 2 | 0 |
| 1970 | 2 | 0 |
| 1969 | 3 | 1 |
| 1968 | 1 | 0 |
| 1966 | 1 | 0 |
| 1964 | 1 | 1 |
| 1963 | 1 | 0 |
| 1961 | 1 | 1 |
| 1958 | 1 | 0 |
| 1956 | 3 | 1 |
| 1955 | 1 | 0 |
Search your address
See every tornado that passed within 25 miles of a place in Grand Traverse County, measured to its path.
We couldn’t get your location. Check that location access is allowed for this site, or type an address.