Mercer, PA Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Mercer, Mercer County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Mercer?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 202 days in the Mercer forecast zone and Mercer County — the most common reported hazard around Mercer, mostly in July and June. Next come flash flooding (56 days) and heavy snow & winter storms (51 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 202 | Jun 2026 | Oct 6, 2024 · $1.0 million damage |
| Flash flooding | 56 | Jul 2025 | Aug 16, 2002 · $250,000 damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 51 | Jan 2026 | Dec 20, 2004 · $650,000 damage |
| High winds | 22 | Mar 2021 | Sep 14, 2008 · $1.0 million damage |
| Flooding | 17 | Nov 2022 | Sep 8, 2004 · $200,000 damage |
| Ice storms & sleet | 10 | Feb 2011 | Jan 5, 2005 · $20,000 damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 9 | Jan 2025 | — |
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 Mercer forecast zone and Mercer County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
Which radars cover Mercer?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KPBZ (Pittsburgh, PA), about 48 miles south. 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 Mercer | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KPBZ Pittsburgh, PA | 48 mi south | 3,400 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KCLE Cleveland, OH | 85 mi west | 7,600 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KCCX State College, PA | 118 mi east | 12,400 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 Mercer
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 71 tornadoes within 25 miles of Mercer, 20 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in July and August. The strongest was an F5 on May 31, 1985, which passed about 2 miles west-southwest of town and caused 18 deaths. The most recent was an EF0 on May 21, 2025, which touched down about 24 miles southeast of town.
Hail: 235 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 13 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 2.75-inch hail on May 28, 2019.
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 Mercer'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.
Mercer radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Mercer, PA?
KPBZ (Pittsburgh, PA), about 48 miles south. KCLE (Cleveland, OH) is 85 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Mercer?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Mercer the lowest scan from KPBZ is about 3,400 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Mercer 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 Mercer, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- New Wilmington, PA radar 9 mi
- Grove City, PA radar 9 mi
- Hermitage, PA radar 11 mi
- Sharpsville, PA radar 13 mi
- Farrell, PA radar 14 mi
- Sharon, PA radar 14 mi
- Slippery Rock, PA radar 14 mi
- Greenville, PA radar 15 mi
- New Castle, PA radar 17 mi
- Bessemer, PA radar 22 mi