Sterling Heights, MI Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Sterling Heights, Macomb County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Sterling Heights?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 156 days in the Macomb forecast zone and Macomb County — the most common reported hazard around Sterling Heights, mostly in July and June. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (53 days) and flooding (38 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 156 | May 2026 | Jul 21, 1998 · $5.8 million damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 53 | Mar 2023 | Feb 13, 2007 · 1 death |
| Flooding | 38 | Sep 2020 | May 23, 2004 · $100 million damage |
| High winds | 36 | Mar 2026 | Mar 8, 2017 · $30 million damage |
| Flash flooding | 25 | Jul 2025 | Aug 11, 2014 · $300 million damage |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 19 | Jul 2012 | Jul 16, 2005 · $1.0 million damage |
| Excessive heat | 16 | Jun 2026 | — |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 15 | Jan 2019 | Jan 1, 2018 · 1 death |
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 Macomb forecast zone and Macomb County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Sterling Heights get?
A normal year brings about 32 inches of snow to Sterling Heights, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Mt Clemens Ang Base weather station 10.9 miles away. The snowiest month is usually January (10.6 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.0 | 1.3 | 5.9 | 10.6 | 8.5 | 5.2 | 0.7 | 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 Sterling Heights?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KDTX (Detroit, MI), about 24 miles west-northwest. 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 Sterling Heights | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KDTX Detroit, MI | 24 mi west-northwest | 1,400 ft | Excellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground |
| KCLE Cleveland, OH | 101 mi southeast | 9,700 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KGRR Grand Rapids, MI | 129 mi west | 14,300 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 Sterling Heights
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 63 tornadoes within 25 miles of Sterling Heights, 19 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in July and June. The strongest was an F4 on May 8, 1964, which passed about 12 miles east-northeast of town and caused 11 deaths. The most recent was an EF0 on June 18, 2025, which touched down about 5 miles east-southeast of town.
Hail: 202 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 4 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.50-inch hail on July 26, 1978.
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 Sterling Heights'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.
Sterling Heights radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Sterling Heights, MI?
KDTX (Detroit, MI), about 24 miles west-northwest. KCLE (Cleveland, OH) is 101 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Sterling Heights?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Sterling Heights the lowest scan from KDTX is about 1,400 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Sterling Heights 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 Sterling Heights, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
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