Sterling, VA Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Sterling, Loudoun County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Sterling?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 252 days in the Eastern Loudoun forecast zone and Loudoun County — the most common reported hazard around Sterling, mostly in July and June. Next come flash flooding (48 days) and flooding (46 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 252 | Jun 2026 | Jul 3, 2011 · 1 death |
| Flash flooding | 48 | Jun 2025 | Jan 19, 1996 · $1.0 million damage |
| Flooding | 46 | Dec 2023 | — |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 17 | Jun 2022 | Jun 22, 2022 · $336,000 damage |
| Excessive heat | 14 | Jun 2025 | — |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 10 | Jan 2026 | — |
| High winds | 7 | Feb 2025 | — |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 7 | Feb 2026 | — |
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 Eastern Loudoun forecast zone and Loudoun County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Sterling get?
A normal year brings about 21 inches of snow to Sterling, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Washington Dc Dulles Ap weather station 5.4 miles away. The snowiest month is usually February (7.0 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.0 | 0.3 | 2.8 | 6.9 | 7.0 | 3.9 | 0.1 | 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?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KLWX (Sterling, MD), about 5 miles west-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 Sterling | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KLWX Sterling, MD | 5 mi west-southwest | 200 ft | Excellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground |
| KDOX Dover AFB, DE | 106 mi east | 10,600 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KCCX State College, PA | 136 mi north-northwest | 15,600 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 Sterling
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 103 tornadoes within 25 miles of Sterling, 13 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in June and September. The strongest was an F3 on September 24, 2001, which passed about 23 miles east-southeast of town and caused 2 deaths. The most recent was an EF1 on August 8, 2024, which passed about 23 miles west of town.
Hail: 494 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 28 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 5.00-inch hail on July 2, 1968.
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'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 radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Sterling, VA?
KLWX (Sterling, MD), about 5 miles west-southwest. KDOX (Dover AFB, DE) is 106 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Sterling?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Sterling the lowest scan from KLWX is about 200 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for 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 Sterling, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Herndon, VA radar 3 mi
- Vienna, VA radar 11 mi
- Leesburg, VA radar 11 mi
- Fairfax, VA radar 12 mi
- Falls Church, VA radar 15 mi
- Manassas Park, VA radar 16 mi
- Haymarket, VA radar 18 mi
- Manassas, VA radar 18 mi
- Purcellville, VA radar 19 mi
- Alexandria, VA radar 22 mi