Alder, MT Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Alder, Madison County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Alder?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 30 days in the Beaverhead and Western Madison below 6000ft forecast zone and Madison County — the most common reported hazard around Alder, mostly in August and July. Next come high winds (23 days) and flooding (9 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 30 | May 2026 | Jul 1, 2023 · $20,000 damage |
| High winds | 23 | May 2026 | — |
| Flooding | 9 | Jun 2020 | — |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 6 | Jan 2024 | — |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 4 | Feb 2025 | — |
| Blizzards | 1 | 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 Beaverhead and Western Madison below 6000ft forecast zone and Madison County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Alder get?
A normal year brings about 65 inches of snow to Alder, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Virginia City weather station 8.1 miles away. The snowiest month is usually December (12.2 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.6 | 7.7 | 12.2 | 11.2 | 8.0 | 6.6 | 10.7 | 4.3 |
Normal snowfall in inches. TALON Pro compares this season's snow at your location with these normals as winter goes on.
Which radars cover Alder?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KMSX (Missoula, MT), about 149 miles 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 Alder | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KMSX Missoula, MT | 149 mi northwest | 18,000 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KTFX Great Falls, MT | 152 mi north-northeast | 18,500 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KSFX Pocatello, ID | 156 mi south | 19,300 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 Alder
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 2 tornadoes within 25 miles of Alder. The strongest was an F0 on June 29, 1999, which touched down about 23 miles east-southeast of town.
Hail: 24 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 2 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 2.75-inch hail on July 9, 1963.
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 Alder'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.
Alder radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Alder, MT?
KMSX (Missoula, MT), about 149 miles northwest. KTFX (Great Falls, MT) is 152 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Alder?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Alder the lowest scan from KMSX is about 18,000 ft up, so light snow from shallow clouds can be under-shown — check NWS winter alerts too.
Is TALON's radar for Alder 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 Alder, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Ennis, MT radar 18 mi
- Dillon, MT radar 27 mi
- Whitehall, MT radar 38 mi
- Three Forks, MT radar 48 mi
- Butte-Silver Bow (balance), MT radar 48 mi
- Manhattan, MT radar 53 mi
- Belgrade, MT radar 55 mi
- Bozeman, MT radar 57 mi