Mount Sterling, IL Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Mount Sterling, Brown 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 damaging thunderstorm winds on 48 days in the Brown forecast zone and Brown County — the most common reported hazard around Mount Sterling, mostly in June and July. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (40 days) and excessive heat (40 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 48 | Apr 2026 | Jul 9, 2021 · $300,000 damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 40 | Nov 2025 | — |
| Excessive heat | 40 | Aug 2023 | — |
| Flash flooding | 11 | Jul 2020 | Jun 15, 2013 · 1 death |
| Flooding | 7 | Jun 2013 | Apr 19, 2013 · $15,000 damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 7 | Jan 2025 | — |
| High winds | 6 | Nov 2019 | — |
| Ice storms & sleet | 6 | Dec 2008 | — |
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 Brown forecast zone and Brown County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Mount Sterling get?
A normal year brings about 14 inches of snow to Mount Sterling, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Mt Sterling weather station in town. The snowiest month is usually January (5.3 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.0 | 0.6 | 3.5 | 5.3 | 2.8 | 1.3 | 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 Mount Sterling?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KILX (Lincoln, IL), about 76 miles east. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| KILX Lincoln, IL | 76 mi east | 6,400 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KLSX St. Louis, MO | 89 mi south | 8,100 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KDVN Quad Cities, IA | 113 mi north | 11,600 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, 22 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in May and June. The strongest was an F3 on June 21, 1981, which passed about 18 miles north-northeast of town and caused 1 death. The most recent was an EF0 on April 20, 2025, which passed about 16 miles northwest of town.
Hail: 181 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 17 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.50-inch hail on May 12, 1998.
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, IL?
KILX (Lincoln, IL), about 76 miles east. KLSX (St. Louis, MO) is 89 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 KILX is about 6,400 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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