Butte-Silver Bow (balance), MT Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Butte-Silver Bow (balance), Silver Bow County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Butte-Silver Bow (balance)?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged heavy snow or a winter storm on 163 days in the Butte/Blackfoot Region forecast zone and Silver Bow County — the most common reported hazard around Butte-Silver Bow (balance), mostly in February and November. Next come high winds (42 days) and extreme cold & wind chill (28 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 163 | Mar 2026 | Nov 24, 2015 · 1 death · $15,000 damage |
| High winds | 42 | Dec 2025 | Nov 12, 2007 · $650,000 damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 28 | Feb 2025 | — |
| Flooding | 11 | Mar 2017 | May 1, 1997 · $69,000 damage |
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 11 | May 2026 | Jul 23, 2015 · $5,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 5 | Jun 2023 | Jun 6, 2023 · $15,000 damage |
| Blizzards | 4 | Apr 2008 | — |
| Avalanches | 4 | Feb 2025 | Jan 6, 2012 · 1 death · $500 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 Butte/Blackfoot Region forecast zone and Silver Bow County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Butte-Silver Bow (balance) get?
A normal year brings about 15 inches of snow to Butte-Silver Bow (balance), based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Divide weather station 11 miles away. The snowiest month is usually December (4.6 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.9 | 1.7 | 4.6 | 2.4 | 2.0 | 2.6 | 0.8 | 0.1 |
Normal snowfall in inches. TALON Pro compares this season's snow at your location with these normals as winter goes on.
Which radars cover Butte-Silver Bow (balance)?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KMSX (Missoula, MT), about 101 miles 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 Butte-Silver Bow (balance) | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KMSX Missoula, MT | 101 mi northwest | 9,800 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KTFX Great Falls, MT | 124 mi north-northeast | 13,400 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KSFX Pocatello, ID | 193 mi south | 27,500 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 Butte-Silver Bow (balance)
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 2 tornadoes within 25 miles of Butte-Silver Bow (balance). The strongest was an F1 on May 29, 1965, which touched down about 23 miles south-southwest of town. The most recent was an F0 on September 15, 1997, which touched down about 16 miles north-northwest of town.
Hail: 52 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 3 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 2.75-inch hail on August 6, 2009.
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 Butte-Silver Bow (balance)'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.
Butte-Silver Bow (balance) radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Butte-Silver Bow (balance), MT?
KMSX (Missoula, MT), about 101 miles northwest. KTFX (Great Falls, MT) is 124 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Butte-Silver Bow (balance)?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Butte-Silver Bow (balance) the lowest scan from KMSX is about 9,800 ft up, so light snow from shallow clouds can be under-shown — check NWS winter alerts too.
Is TALON's radar for Butte-Silver Bow (balance) 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 Butte-Silver Bow (balance), follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
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