Billings, MT Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Billings, Yellowstone County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Billings?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 135 days in the Southwestern Yellowstone forecast zone and Yellowstone County — the most common reported hazard around Billings, mostly in July and August. Next come high winds (29 days) and heavy snow & winter storms (16 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 135 | Jun 2026 | Aug 11, 2019 · $2.5 million damage |
| High winds | 29 | May 2026 | — |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 16 | Mar 2026 | — |
| Flash flooding | 16 | Jun 2023 | Jun 20, 2010 · $2.7 million damage |
| Flooding | 13 | Jul 2025 | May 21, 2011 · 1 death · $300,000 damage |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 4 | Jul 2009 | Jul 4, 2009 · 1 death |
| Wildfires | 1 | Aug 1998 | — |
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 Southwestern Yellowstone forecast zone and Yellowstone County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Billings get?
A normal year brings about 57 inches of snow to Billings, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Billings Logan Intl Ap weather station 1.4 miles away. The snowiest month is usually January (10.6 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4.5 | 6.5 | 9.8 | 10.6 | 9.1 | 8.2 | 7.5 | 0.9 |
Normal snowfall in inches. TALON Pro compares this season's snow at your location with these normals as winter goes on.
Which radars cover Billings?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KBLX (Billings, MT), about 5 miles north-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 Billings | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KBLX Billings, MT | 5 mi north-northwest | 300 ft | Excellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground |
| KTFX Great Falls, MT | 177 mi northwest | 23,900 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KRIW Riverton, WY | 188 mi south | 26,400 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 Billings
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 20 tornadoes within 25 miles of Billings, 3 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in June and July. The strongest was an F3 on June 16, 1965, which passed about 3 miles east-northeast of town. The most recent was an EF0 on June 6, 2011, which touched down about 13 miles west-northwest of town.
Hail: 323 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 41 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 3.50-inch hail on June 24, 1991.
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 Billings'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.
Billings radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Billings, MT?
KBLX (Billings, MT), about 5 miles north-northwest. KTFX (Great Falls, MT) is 177 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Billings?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Billings the lowest scan from KBLX is about 300 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Billings 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 Billings, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
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