Mount Sterling, IA Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Mount Sterling, Van Buren County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Mount Sterling?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged heavy snow or a winter storm on 64 days in the Van Buren forecast zone and Van Buren County — the most common reported hazard around Mount Sterling, mostly in January and December. Next come damaging thunderstorm winds (59 days) and flash flooding (21 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 64 | Nov 2025 | Jan 1, 1999 · 1 death |
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 59 | Jul 2025 | Jul 8, 2003 · $85,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 21 | Jul 2021 | Apr 17, 2013 · $250,000 damage |
| Flooding | 17 | May 2021 | Jun 1, 2008 · $540,000 damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 12 | Jan 2019 | — |
| Ice storms & sleet | 9 | Dec 2024 | Feb 24, 2007 · $28,000 damage |
| High winds | 8 | Oct 2008 | Apr 6, 1997 · $100,000 damage |
| Excessive heat | 5 | Aug 2013 | — |
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 Van Buren forecast zone and Van Buren County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Mount Sterling get?
A normal year brings about 23 inches of snow to Mount Sterling, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Keosauqua weather station 8.3 miles away. The snowiest month is usually January (7.3 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.2 | 1.1 | 5.5 | 7.3 | 5.3 | 2.7 | 0.9 | 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 Mount Sterling?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KDVN (Quad Cities, IA), about 98 miles 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 Mount Sterling | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KDVN Quad Cities, IA | 98 mi northeast | 9,400 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KDMX Des Moines, IA | 121 mi northwest | 12,800 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KILX Lincoln, IL | 141 mi east-southeast | 16,400 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 Mount Sterling
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 81 tornadoes within 25 miles of Mount Sterling, 25 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in April and May. The strongest was an F4 on January 24, 1967, which passed about 16 miles west-northwest of town. The most recent was a tornado of unknown strength on August 11, 2025, which touched down about 16 miles north-northeast of town.
Hail: 256 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 19 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 3.00-inch hail on June 13, 2024.
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 Mount Sterling'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.
Mount Sterling radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Mount Sterling, IA?
KDVN (Quad Cities, IA), about 98 miles northeast. KDMX (Des Moines, IA) is 121 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Mount Sterling?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Mount Sterling the lowest scan from KDVN is about 9,400 ft up, so light snow from shallow clouds can be under-shown — check NWS winter alerts too.
Is TALON's radar for Mount Sterling 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 Mount Sterling, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
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