Cardwell, MT Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Cardwell, Jefferson County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Cardwell?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 11 days in the Missouri Headwaters forecast zone and Jefferson County — the most common reported hazard around Cardwell, mostly in June and August. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (9 days) and high winds (7 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 11 | Sep 2025 | — |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 9 | Mar 2026 | — |
| High winds | 7 | Mar 2026 | — |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 4 | Feb 2025 | — |
| Flash flooding | 3 | Jun 2023 | Jun 27, 2023 · $100,000 damage |
| Flooding | 3 | Jul 2025 | — |
| Wildfires | 2 | 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 Missouri Headwaters forecast zone and Jefferson County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
Which radars cover Cardwell?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KTFX (Great Falls, MT), about 114 miles north-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 Cardwell | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KTFX Great Falls, MT | 114 mi north-northeast | 11,700 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KMSX Missoula, MT | 126 mi northwest | 13,700 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KBLX Billings, MT | 162 mi east | 20,500 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 Cardwell
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 2 tornadoes within 25 miles of Cardwell. The strongest was an F0 on May 17, 1994, which touched down about 22 miles east-northeast of town. The most recent was a tornado of unknown strength on August 6, 2023, which passed about 17 miles north-northwest of town.
Hail: 25 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 2 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 2.00-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 Cardwell'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.
Cardwell radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Cardwell, MT?
KTFX (Great Falls, MT), about 114 miles north-northeast. KMSX (Missoula, MT) is 126 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Cardwell?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Cardwell the lowest scan from KTFX is about 11,700 ft up, so light snow from shallow clouds can be under-shown — check NWS winter alerts too.
Is TALON's radar for Cardwell 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 Cardwell, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
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