Bear Dance, MT Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Bear Dance, Lake County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Bear Dance?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged heavy snow or a winter storm on 129 days in the Flathead/Mission Valleys forecast zone and Lake County — the most common reported hazard around Bear Dance, mostly in February and January. Next come high winds (43 days) and damaging thunderstorm winds (33 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 129 | Mar 2026 | Feb 13, 2025 · 4 deaths |
| High winds | 43 | Mar 2026 | Jul 14, 2025 · 1 death · $26,000 damage |
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 33 | Aug 2024 | Jun 28, 2022 · $50,000 damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 18 | Feb 2025 | Feb 1, 1996 · $1,000 damage |
| Flooding | 8 | Jun 2026 | May 1, 1997 · $912,000 damage |
| Blizzards | 5 | Feb 2014 | Dec 12, 2008 · 1 death · $200,000 damage |
| Ice storms & sleet | 3 | Dec 2015 | Nov 21, 2014 · $30,000 damage |
| Excessive heat | 3 | Jul 2024 | — |
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 Flathead/Mission Valleys forecast zone and Lake County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
Which radars cover Bear Dance?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KMSX (Missoula, MT), about 60 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 Bear Dance | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KMSX Missoula, MT | 60 mi south | 4,500 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KTFX Great Falls, MT | 127 mi east-southeast | 13,900 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KOTX Spokane, WA | 168 mi west | 21,800 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 Bear Dance
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 4 tornadoes within 25 miles of Bear Dance. Most came in July and September. The strongest was an EF0 on July 18, 2007, which passed about 7 miles northwest of town. The most recent was an EF0 on November 4, 2013, which touched down about 5 miles north-northwest of town.
Hail: 37 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 2 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 2.50-inch hail on July 7, 2022.
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 Bear Dance'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.
Bear Dance radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Bear Dance, MT?
KMSX (Missoula, MT), about 60 miles south. KTFX (Great Falls, MT) is 127 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Bear Dance?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Bear Dance the lowest scan from KMSX is about 4,500 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Bear Dance 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 Bear Dance, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Polson, MT radar 16 mi
- Kalispell, MT radar 26 mi
- Ronan, MT radar 26 mi
- Columbia Falls, MT radar 33 mi
- Whitefish, MT radar 40 mi
- Plains, MT radar 50 mi