Big Sky, MT Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Big Sky, Gallatin County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Big Sky?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 50 days in the Gallatin and Madison County Mountains and Centennial Mountains forecast zone and Gallatin County — the most common reported hazard around Big Sky, mostly in July and August. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (43 days) and high winds (18 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 50 | Nov 2025 | Jul 3, 2000 · $25,000 damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 43 | Apr 2026 | Mar 14, 2023 · $150,000 damage |
| High winds | 18 | May 2026 | — |
| Wildfires | 13 | Oct 2025 | Sep 1, 2000 · $160,000 damage |
| Flooding | 10 | Apr 2023 | Apr 10, 2023 · $1.0 million damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 7 | Feb 2025 | — |
| Avalanches | 3 | Apr 2023 | — |
| Flash flooding | 2 | Aug 2021 | — |
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 Gallatin and Madison County Mountains and Centennial Mountains forecast zone and Gallatin County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
Which radars cover Big Sky?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KBLX (Billings, MT), about 138 miles east-northeast. 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 Big Sky | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KBLX Billings, MT | 138 mi east-northeast | 15,900 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KTFX Great Falls, MT | 152 mi north | 18,600 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KSFX Pocatello, ID | 163 mi south-southwest | 20,800 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 Big Sky
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 1 tornado within 25 miles of Big Sky. The strongest was an F0 on June 29, 1999, which touched down about 15 miles west of town.
Hail: 8 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955; the largest was 1.50-inch hail on July 31, 2010.
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 Big Sky'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.
Big Sky radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Big Sky, MT?
KBLX (Billings, MT), about 138 miles east-northeast. KTFX (Great Falls, MT) is 152 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Big Sky?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Big Sky the lowest scan from KBLX is about 15,900 ft up, so light snow from shallow clouds can be under-shown — check NWS winter alerts too.
Is TALON's radar for Big Sky 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 Big Sky, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Ennis, MT radar 20 mi
- Bozeman, MT radar 32 mi
- Belgrade, MT radar 37 mi
- Manhattan, MT radar 42 mi
- West Yellowstone, MT radar 43 mi
- Three Forks, MT radar 45 mi
- Livingston, MT radar 47 mi
- Whitehall, MT radar 56 mi