Chinook, MT Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Chinook, Blaine County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Chinook?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 64 days in the Northern Blaine County forecast zone and Blaine County — the most common reported hazard around Chinook, mostly in July and June. Next come high winds (16 days) and flooding (16 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 64 | May 2026 | Jul 8, 2022 · $200,000 damage |
| High winds | 16 | May 2026 | — |
| Flooding | 16 | Sep 2024 | Apr 10, 2023 · $1.5 million damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 9 | Jan 2026 | — |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 7 | Dec 2025 | — |
| Flash flooding | 5 | Jul 2025 | — |
| Wildfires | 1 | Jul 2000 | — |
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 Northern Blaine County forecast zone and Blaine County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
Which radars cover Chinook?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KGGW (Glasgow, MT), about 123 miles east-southeast. 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 Chinook | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KGGW Glasgow, MT | 123 mi east-southeast | 13,100 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KTFX Great Falls, MT | 127 mi southwest | 13,800 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KBLX Billings, MT | 191 mi south | 27,100 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 Chinook
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 5 tornadoes within 25 miles of Chinook. Most came in July and June. The strongest was an F1 on July 1, 1962, which passed about 22 miles west-southwest of town. The most recent was an EF0 on August 26, 2022, which passed about 23 miles south-southeast of town.
Hail: 68 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 11 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 3.00-inch hail on July 17, 1962.
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 Chinook'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.
Chinook radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Chinook, MT?
KGGW (Glasgow, MT), about 123 miles east-southeast. KTFX (Great Falls, MT) is 127 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Chinook?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Chinook the lowest scan from KGGW is about 13,100 ft up, so light snow from shallow clouds can be under-shown — check NWS winter alerts too.
Is TALON's radar for Chinook 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 Chinook, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Havre, MT radar 21 mi