Box Elder, MT Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Box Elder, Hill County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Box Elder?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 89 days in the Hill County forecast zone and Hill County — the most common reported hazard around Box Elder, mostly in July and June. Next come high winds (26 days) and extreme cold & wind chill (10 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 89 | May 2026 | Jun 20, 2003 · $200,000 damage |
| High winds | 26 | Jun 2026 | — |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 10 | Jan 2026 | — |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 8 | Dec 2025 | — |
| Flooding | 6 | Jul 2025 | Apr 12, 2023 · $2.5 million damage |
| Flash flooding | 2 | Jul 2011 | Jun 27, 1998 · $233,000 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 Hill County forecast zone and Hill County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Box Elder get?
A normal year brings about 29 inches of snow to Box Elder, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Kremlin weather station 14.3 miles away. The snowiest month is usually January (6.5 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.3 | 4.2 | 5.6 | 6.5 | 4.3 | 3.6 | 2.7 | 1.0 |
Normal snowfall in inches. TALON Pro compares this season's snow at your location with these normals as winter goes on.
Which radars cover Box Elder?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KTFX (Great Falls, MT), about 87 miles southwest. 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 Box Elder | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KTFX Great Falls, MT | 87 mi southwest | 7,800 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KGGW Glasgow, MT | 156 mi east | 19,400 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KBLX Billings, MT | 183 mi south-southeast | 25,200 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 Box Elder
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 7 tornadoes within 25 miles of Box Elder, 1 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in June and July. The strongest was an F3 on July 5, 1988, which passed about 18 miles south-southeast of town. The most recent was a tornado of unknown strength on June 10, 2023, which touched down about 10 miles northwest of town.
Hail: 61 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 9 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 3.50-inch hail on May 30, 1966.
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 Box Elder'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.
Box Elder radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Box Elder, MT?
KTFX (Great Falls, MT), about 87 miles southwest. KGGW (Glasgow, MT) is 156 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Box Elder?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Box Elder the lowest scan from KTFX is about 7,800 ft up, so light snow from shallow clouds can be under-shown — check NWS winter alerts too.
Is TALON's radar for Box Elder 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 Box Elder, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Havre, MT radar 22 mi
- Chinook, MT radar 40 mi
- Fort Benton, MT radar 45 mi