What should you know about Holland's weather?
- NWS office
- Grand Rapids (GRR)
- Climate
- Warm-summer humid continental
- Time zone
- EST/EDT
- Elevation
- 606 ft
- Coordinates
- 42.79° N, 86.11° W
- Nearest radar
- KGRR · Grand Rapids NEXRAD · 30 mi
- County
- Ottawa County, MI
- Yearly rain
- 34.8 in
- Warmest month
- July · 71.6°F average
- Coldest month
- January · 25.9°F average
- Severe storm peak
- May to Jul
How much rain does Holland get each month?
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °F | 31.8 | 34.3 | 44.4 | 56.8 | 68.6 | 78.1 | 81.7 | 80.2 | 73.5 | 60.8 | 47.6 | 36.9 |
| Low °F | 19.9 | 20.5 | 27.6 | 37.4 | 47.9 | 57.7 | 61.6 | 59.9 | 52.4 | 42.6 | 33.8 | 26.2 |
| Rain (in) | 1.87 | 1.77 | 2.07 | 3.50 | 3.76 | 3.45 | 2.80 | 3.06 | 2.95 | 4.22 | 3.20 | 2.11 |
| Month | High °F | Low °F | Rain (in) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 31.8 | 19.9 | 1.87 |
| Feb | 34.3 | 20.5 | 1.77 |
| Mar | 44.4 | 27.6 | 2.07 |
| Apr | 56.8 | 37.4 | 3.50 |
| May | 68.6 | 47.9 | 3.76 |
| Jun | 78.1 | 57.7 | 3.45 |
| Jul | 81.7 | 61.6 | 2.80 |
| Aug | 80.2 | 59.9 | 3.06 |
| Sep | 73.5 | 52.4 | 2.95 |
| Oct | 60.8 | 42.6 | 4.22 |
| Nov | 47.6 | 33.8 | 3.20 |
| Dec | 36.9 | 26.2 | 2.11 |
HOLLAND TULIP CITY AP, MI US · 3 mi away · NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991 to 2020
Why can the Holland weather radar miss lake-effect snow?
In bitter cold air, lake-effect clouds are very low, so the radar beam can pass over the snow at greater distances. NWS Grand Rapids pointed this out during the blizzard of December 22 to 25, 2022, when arctic air crossing the warmer waters of Lake Michigan created heavy lake effect snow. Holland Harbor recorded a 48 mph gust on December 23, and two reports near Holland measured 15.0 inches of snow by Christmas morning. When the loop looks thin but the forecast calls for lake-effect snow, trust the forecast and road reports.
How bad was the June 2008 flash flood in Holland?
Cars were submerged to their roofs on US-31 in Holland after storms on the night of June 7 to 8, 2008. The Holland to Saugatuck area was hardest hit, with as much as 5 inches of rain in 6 hours. Several roadways in Allegan County were destroyed and washed away in the dark. In Ottawa County, a man died on June 8 while tending the swollen creek at the Worley Drain Dam in Robinson Township.
How high has Lake Michigan risen at Holland?
Water levels at Holland peaked at 583.02 feet in late April 2020, second all time and only 1.8 inches off the record. Holland's lake levels have been measured since the summer of 1894. During that high water, lake water surged through the pier heads into Lake Macatawa and into neighborhoods on its north side. Radar shows the rain and wind that drive water ashore, not the lake level itself, so check lakeshore flood statements from NWS Grand Rapids as well.
How big can waves get off Holland in a fall wind storm?
On October 16, 2019, the buoy near Holland measured a peak wave height of 12.1 feet. Strong winds also pushed a 1 foot non-wave water rise into Holland, which NWS Grand Rapids compared to a hurricane storm surge. Holland Harbor gusted to 49 mph that day. Wind storms like this can come with little or no rain, so a quiet radar loop does not mean safe pier or beach conditions.
When should you check the Holland radar?
Storm peak
May to JulyAbout 57% of the county's 1996 to 2025 severe reports fall from May to July. Families at Kollen Park watch the loop for storms coming in off the big lake.
Lake-effect season
Late fall and winterBands coming off the lake can cut visibility fast on the drive inland. Drivers on I-196 toward Zeeland check the loop and road reports before they leave.
What else do people ask about the Holland radar?
Which NWS office and radar cover Holland?
NWS Grand Rapids (GRR) issues forecasts and warnings for Holland. The nearest NEXRAD radar is KGRR, about 30 miles from the city center.
How often does the radar on this page update?
The radar loop on this page updates every 5 minutes.
Is this page an official warning service?
No. It shows radar and forecasts only. For warnings, follow NWS Grand Rapids and local emergency alerts.
Quick facts
- Radar: KGRR (Grand Rapids NEXRAD), a new frame every 5 minutes
- Forecasts and warnings: NWS Grand Rapids (GRR)
- Severe storms peak from May to July (NOAA Storm Events, 1996 to 2025)
- Local time: EST/EDT
- Radar: KGRR, a new frame every 5 minutes
- Warnings: NWS Grand Rapids (GRR)
- Severe storms: May to July
- Local time: EST/EDT
Where does this data come from?
- NOAA NEXRAD radar via Iowa Environmental Mesonet
- National Weather Service, Grand Rapids office
- NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991 to 2020: HOLLAND TULIP CITY AP, MI US
- NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, 1996 to 2025
- USGS Elevation Point Query Service
- GOES-East satellite imagery
- Open-Meteo forecast API
- OpenStreetMap contributors
- NWS Grand Rapids: December 22 to 25, 2022 blizzard
- NWS Grand Rapids: June 7 to 8, 2008 deadly storms and floods
- NWS Grand Rapids: Late April 2020 heavy rain and lakeshore flooding
- NWS Grand Rapids: October 16, 2019 high winds and beach erosion
- National Weather Service: Lake effect snow