Belt, MT Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Belt, Cascade County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Belt?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 96 days in the Cascade County below 5000ft forecast zone and Cascade County — the most common reported hazard around Belt, mostly in July and June. Next come high winds (39 days) and heavy snow & winter storms (16 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 96 | May 2026 | Jun 19, 2003 · $60,000 damage |
| High winds | 39 | Apr 2026 | Mar 8, 2026 · $20,000 damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 16 | Apr 2026 | — |
| Flash flooding | 13 | Jul 2025 | Jun 19, 2003 · $250,000 damage |
| Flooding | 11 | May 2023 | May 17, 2023 · 2 deaths · $60,000 damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 5 | Feb 2025 | — |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 4 | Aug 2019 | Aug 11, 2019 · $10,000 damage |
| Blizzards | 1 | Mar 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 Cascade County below 5000ft forecast zone and Cascade County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
Which radars cover Belt?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KTFX (Great Falls, MT), about 22 miles west-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 Belt | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KTFX Great Falls, MT | 22 mi west-northwest | 1,300 ft | Excellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground |
| KMSX Missoula, MT | 146 mi west | 17,300 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KBLX Billings, MT | 153 mi southeast | 18,700 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 Belt
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 10 tornadoes within 25 miles of Belt. Most came in June and July. The strongest was an F1 on June 19, 1998, which touched down about 22 miles northeast of town. The most recent was an EF0 on June 23, 2018, which touched down about 18 miles north-northeast of town.
Hail: 161 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 16 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.00-inch hail on August 5, 2002.
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 Belt'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.
Belt radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Belt, MT?
KTFX (Great Falls, MT), about 22 miles west-northwest. KMSX (Missoula, MT) is 146 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Belt?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Belt the lowest scan from KTFX is about 1,300 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Belt 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 Belt, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.