Belknap, MT Live Doppler Radar

Live radar for Belknap, Sanders County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.

Open live radar for BelknapWhat TALON shows

What weather hits Belknap?

Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged heavy snow or a winter storm on 266 days in the Lower Clark Fork Region forecast zone and Sanders County — the most common reported hazard around Belknap, mostly in December and January. Next come high winds (18 days) and damaging thunderstorm winds (17 days).

HazardDays reportedMost recentWorst on record
Heavy snow & winter storms266Mar 2026Sep 13, 2017 · 1 death · $1,000 damage
High winds18Mar 2026Feb 22, 2012 · $214,000 damage
Damaging thunderstorm winds17Sep 2024Jul 17, 2007 · $30,000 damage
Extreme cold & wind chill12Feb 2025Jan 28, 1996 · 1 death
Flooding10Dec 2025Feb 7, 1996 · $700,000 damage
Excessive heat4Jul 2024—
Wildfires3Aug 2015Aug 28, 2015 · $10,000 damage
Ice storms & sleet3Dec 2023Dec 16, 2023 · 2 deaths · $70,000 damage

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 Lower Clark Fork Region forecast zone and Sanders County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.

How much snow does Belknap get?

A normal year brings about 15 inches of snow to Belknap, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Thompson Falls Ph weather station 4.7 miles away. The snowiest month is usually December (7.5 in).

OctNovDecJanFebMarAprMay
0.72.57.52.50.61.20.30.0

Normal snowfall in inches. TALON Pro compares this season's snow at your location with these normals as winter goes on.

Which radars cover Belknap?

The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KMSX (Missoula, MT), about 79 miles east-southeast. 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.

RadarDistanceLowest beam over BelknapView
KMSX
Missoula, MT		79 mi east-southeast6,800 ftFair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation
KOTX
Spokane, WA		103 mi west10,000 ftLimited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms
KTFX
Great Falls, MT		189 mi east26,500 ftLimited — 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 Belknap

Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 1 tornado within 25 miles of Belknap. The strongest was an F0 on July 9, 1978, which touched down about 3 miles south of town.

Hail: 8 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955; the largest was 1.75-inch hail on July 17, 2007.

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 Belknap'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.

Belknap radar FAQ

Where is the nearest weather radar to Belknap, MT?

KMSX (Missoula, MT), about 79 miles east-southeast. KOTX (Spokane, WA) is 103 miles away and also covers the area.

Does radar show snow in Belknap?

Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Belknap the lowest scan from KMSX is about 6,800 ft up, so light snow from shallow clouds can be under-shown — check NWS winter alerts too.

Is TALON's radar for Belknap 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 Belknap, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.

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