What should you know about Lansing's weather?
- NWS office
- Grand Rapids (GRR)
- Climate
- Hot-summer humid continental
- Time zone
- EST/EDT
- Elevation
- 853 ft
- Coordinates
- 42.73° N, 84.56° W
- Nearest radar
- KGRR · Grand Rapids NEXRAD · 51 mi
- County
- Ingham County, MI
- Yearly rain
- 33.3 in
- Warmest month
- July · 71.8°F average
- Coldest month
- January · 23.9°F average
- Severe storm peak
- May to Jul
How much rain does Lansing get each month?
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °F | 30.6 | 33.5 | 44.4 | 57.6 | 69.4 | 78.9 | 82.8 | 80.6 | 73.6 | 60.5 | 47.0 | 35.7 |
| Low °F | 17.2 | 18.3 | 26.0 | 36.4 | 47.5 | 57.1 | 60.9 | 59.5 | 51.5 | 41.2 | 31.9 | 23.3 |
| Rain (in) | 2.06 | 1.71 | 2.13 | 3.26 | 3.66 | 3.76 | 2.94 | 3.48 | 2.81 | 3.16 | 2.46 | 1.90 |
| Month | High °F | Low °F | Rain (in) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 30.6 | 17.2 | 2.06 |
| Feb | 33.5 | 18.3 | 1.71 |
| Mar | 44.4 | 26.0 | 2.13 |
| Apr | 57.6 | 36.4 | 3.26 |
| May | 69.4 | 47.5 | 3.66 |
| Jun | 78.9 | 57.1 | 3.76 |
| Jul | 82.8 | 60.9 | 2.94 |
| Aug | 80.6 | 59.5 | 3.48 |
| Sep | 73.6 | 51.5 | 2.81 |
| Oct | 60.5 | 41.2 | 3.16 |
| Nov | 47.0 | 31.9 | 2.46 |
| Dec | 35.7 | 23.3 | 1.90 |
LANSING CAPITAL CITY AP, MI US · 4 mi away · NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991 to 2020
How bad was the December 2013 ice storm in Lansing?
It was one of the more significant icing events on record for the region. A report from Lansing on December 22, 2013 measured 0.40 inch of ice. Tree limbs and even whole trees came down under the weight of the ice, and the biggest impact was large scale power outages across Lower Michigan. Statewide, nearly 400,000 homes lost power, from Grand Rapids to Flint to the Thumb. Radar shows the precipitation but not whether it freezes on contact, so check the hourly temperatures as well.
Did a tornado hit near Lansing in August 2023?
Yes. On August 24, 2023, a tornado touched down in eastern Ingham County from Williamston to Webberville and was rated EF-2 there before weakening to EF-1 in Livingston County. It moved onto I-96 and stayed on the highway for around 1.5 miles. The storms that evening formed with dew points around 80F, some of the highest in 60 years, and knocked out power to around 460,000 customers statewide. The Storm Events entry for Ingham County records 2 deaths and 4 injuries.
Does Lansing flood in heavy rain?
Yes, mostly as street flooding when heavy storms stall over the city. On August 10, 2015, Capital Region International Airport measured 3.77 inches, the most rain for any calendar day in August, beating 3.39 inches from August 27, 2013. Roads in some low spots had water approaching the roofs of cars. US-127 near Saginaw St was shut down for hours because of deep floodwaters and clogged storm drains.
Why watch the Lansing weather radar during a snowstorm?
Because the heaviest snow can fall in one narrow band. On January 29, 2018, a band about 20 miles wide set up from Lansing to Flint and into the Thumb. It behaved more like a summer severe weather event with thunder and individual storm cells. Up to a foot of snow was reported in Lansing and Flint. The loop shows where a band like that is sitting and which way it is drifting.
How much snow does Lansing get?
The 1991 to 2020 normal at Lansing's airport is 50.2 inches a season. The Great Blizzard of January 1978 dropped 19.3 inches on Lansing from the 25th to the 27th. Statewide, about 100,000 cars were stranded on Michigan highways.
When should you check the Lansing radar?
Storm peak
May to JulyAbout 63% of the county's 1996 to 2025 severe reports fall from May to July. Runners on the Lansing River Trail check the loop before heading out on muggy afternoons.
Freeze season
October 13 to May 1These are the median dates of the first fall freeze and the last spring freeze at the Lansing airport. Early and late season storms can bring wet snow, so commuters on I-496 compare the loop with the hourly temperatures.
What else do people ask about the Lansing radar?
Which NWS office and radar cover Lansing?
NWS Grand Rapids (GRR) issues forecasts and warnings for Lansing. The nearest NEXRAD radar is KGRR, about 51 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: LANSING CAPITAL 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 21 to 22, 2013 ice storm summary
- National Weather Service: Top ten Southeast Michigan weather events of the 2010s
- NWS Grand Rapids: August 24, 2023 tornadoes
- NWS Grand Rapids: Lansing record rainfall, August 10, 2015
- National Weather Service: Michigan winter hazards and the 2017 to 2018 winter
- National Weather Service: January 29, 2018 winter storm
- NOAA NCEI: 1991 to 2020 normals, Lansing Capital City airport
- NWS Grand Rapids: The Great Blizzard of January 26 to 27, 1978
- National Weather Service: Notable Southeast Michigan weather events