Sturgis, MI Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Sturgis, St. Joseph County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Sturgis?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 117 days in the St. Joseph forecast zone and St. Joseph County — the most common reported hazard around Sturgis, mostly in June and August. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (56 days) and high winds (12 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 117 | Jun 2026 | May 21, 2004 · 1 death · $10,000 damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 56 | Dec 2025 | — |
| High winds | 12 | Nov 2019 | — |
| Ice storms & sleet | 7 | Feb 2019 | Feb 24, 2007 · $30,000 damage |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 6 | Jun 2014 | Jun 2, 2006 · 1 death |
| Flooding | 5 | Feb 2018 | Feb 20, 2018 · $680,000 damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 5 | Jan 2024 | — |
| Blizzards | 2 | Dec 2022 | — |
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 St. Joseph forecast zone and St. Joseph County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Sturgis get?
A normal year brings about 41 inches of snow to Sturgis, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Three Rivers weather station 14.5 miles away. The snowiest month is usually January (15.0 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.0 | 2.9 | 9.3 | 15.0 | 9.7 | 3.7 | 0.6 | 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 Sturgis?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KIWX (Fort Wayne, IN), about 34 miles south-southwest. 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 Sturgis | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KIWX Fort Wayne, IN | 34 mi south-southwest | 2,100 ft | Excellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground |
| KGRR Grand Rapids, MI | 76 mi north | 6,400 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KDTX Detroit, MI | 117 mi east-northeast | 12,300 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 Sturgis
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 69 tornadoes within 25 miles of Sturgis, 25 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in April and May. The strongest was an F4 on April 11, 1965, which passed about 5 miles southwest of town and caused 36 deaths. The most recent was an EF1 on April 2, 2025, which passed about 14 miles east-southeast of town.
Hail: 159 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 15 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.25-inch hail on May 6, 2004.
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 Sturgis'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.
Sturgis radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Sturgis, MI?
KIWX (Fort Wayne, IN), about 34 miles south-southwest. KGRR (Grand Rapids, MI) is 76 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Sturgis?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Sturgis the lowest scan from KIWX is about 2,100 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Sturgis 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 Sturgis, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
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- White Pigeon, MI radar 12 mi
- Colon, MI radar 12 mi
- Bronson, MI radar 13 mi
- Constantine, MI radar 13 mi
- Three Rivers, MI radar 15 mi
- Vicksburg, MI radar 23 mi
- Union City, MI radar 23 mi
- Coldwater, MI radar 24 mi
- Schoolcraft, MI radar 25 mi