Independence, OH Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Independence, Cuyahoga County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Independence?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 220 days in the Cuyahoga forecast zone and Cuyahoga County — the most common reported hazard around Independence, mostly in July and June. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (118 days) and high winds (64 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 220 | Jun 2026 | Jul 24, 1999 · 3 deaths · $2,000 damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 118 | Nov 2025 | Mar 7, 2008 · $7.5 million damage |
| High winds | 64 | Apr 2024 | Apr 12, 2001 · 1 death · $75,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 57 | Apr 2025 | Jun 22, 2006 · $35 million damage |
| Flooding | 28 | Jul 2021 | Jun 22, 2006 · $12 million damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 14 | Dec 2022 | Feb 1, 2021 · 7 deaths |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 9 | Sep 2005 | Jul 6, 1999 · 1 death |
| Excessive heat | 2 | Jul 1999 | — |
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 Cuyahoga forecast zone and Cuyahoga County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Independence get?
A normal year brings about 64 inches of snow to Independence, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Cleveland weather station 12 miles away. The snowiest month is usually January (18.4 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.1 | 4.5 | 12.2 | 18.4 | 15.1 | 10.8 | 2.7 | 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 Independence?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KCLE (Cleveland, OH), about 12 miles west. 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 Independence | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KCLE Cleveland, OH | 12 mi west | 600 ft | Excellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground |
| KPBZ Pittsburgh, PA | 94 mi southeast | 8,800 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KDTX Detroit, MI | 131 mi northwest | 14,700 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 Independence
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 80 tornadoes within 25 miles of Independence, 15 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in July and August. The strongest was an F4 on April 11, 1965, which passed about 11 miles west-southwest of town and caused 18 deaths. The most recent was an EF1 on August 6, 2024, which passed about 12 miles west-northwest of town.
Hail: 376 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 22 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.25-inch hail on June 8, 2007.
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 Independence'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.
Independence radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Independence, OH?
KCLE (Cleveland, OH), about 12 miles west. KPBZ (Pittsburgh, PA) is 94 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Independence?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Independence the lowest scan from KCLE is about 600 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Independence 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 Independence, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.