Mount Sterling, WI Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Mount Sterling, Crawford County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Mount Sterling?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged heavy snow or a winter storm on 65 days in the Crawford forecast zone and Crawford County — the most common reported hazard around Mount Sterling, mostly in January and February. Next come damaging thunderstorm winds (60 days) and flooding (54 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 65 | Mar 2026 | — |
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 60 | Sep 2024 | Jun 27, 1998 · $220,000 damage |
| Flooding | 54 | Jul 2024 | May 30, 2017 · 1 death · $50,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 31 | Jun 2024 | Aug 18, 2007 · $20 million damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 18 | Jan 2026 | — |
| Excessive heat | 16 | Jun 2026 | Jul 17, 2011 · 1 death · $12,000 damage |
| High winds | 7 | Dec 2021 | Nov 10, 1998 · $125,000 damage |
| Ice storms & sleet | 5 | Mar 2009 | — |
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 Crawford forecast zone and Crawford County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Mount Sterling get?
A normal year brings about 38 inches of snow to Mount Sterling, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Gays Mills weather station 4.1 miles away. The snowiest month is usually January (10.8 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.1 | 1.9 | 9.7 | 10.8 | 7.8 | 5.9 | 1.6 | 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 Mount Sterling?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KARX (La Crosse, WI), about 37 miles north-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 Mount Sterling | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KARX La Crosse, WI | 37 mi north-northwest | 2,400 ft | Excellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground |
| KDVN Quad Cities, IA | 119 mi south | 12,600 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KMKX Milwaukee/Sullivan, WI | 122 mi east | 13,100 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 Mount Sterling
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 49 tornadoes within 25 miles of Mount Sterling, 11 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in June and July. The strongest was an F4 on April 30, 1954, which passed about 15 miles southwest of town. The most recent was an EF0 on September 22, 2025, which touched down near town.
Hail: 145 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 11 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 2.75-inch hail on September 24, 1984.
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 Mount 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.
Mount Sterling radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Mount Sterling, WI?
KARX (La Crosse, WI), about 37 miles north-northwest. KDVN (Quad Cities, IA) is 119 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Mount Sterling?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Mount Sterling the lowest scan from KARX is about 2,400 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Mount 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 Mount Sterling, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Boscobel, WI radar 16 mi
- Viroqua, WI radar 17 mi
- Prairie du Chien, WI radar 22 mi
- Westby, WI radar 24 mi
- Muscoda, WI radar 27 mi
- Fennimore, WI radar 27 mi
- Richland Center, WI radar 27 mi
- Cashton, WI radar 30 mi
- Lancaster, WI radar 34 mi
- Hillsboro, WI radar 38 mi