Churchill, MT Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Churchill, Gallatin County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Churchill?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 50 days in the Gallatin Valley forecast zone and Gallatin County — the most common reported hazard around Churchill, mostly in July and August. Next come heavy snow & winter storms (18 days) and high winds (12 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 50 | Nov 2025 | Jul 3, 2000 · $25,000 damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 18 | Apr 2026 | — |
| High winds | 12 | May 2026 | — |
| Flooding | 10 | Apr 2023 | Apr 10, 2023 · $1.0 million damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 5 | Feb 2025 | — |
| Wildfires | 5 | Mar 2026 | Sep 1, 2000 · $160,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 2 | Aug 2021 | — |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 1 | Jun 1999 | Jun 17, 1999 · 1 death |
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 Gallatin Valley forecast zone and Gallatin County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Churchill get?
A normal year brings about 91 inches of snow to Churchill, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Bozeman Montana State Univ weather station 14.1 miles away. The snowiest month is usually December (16.2 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6.0 | 12.5 | 16.2 | 12.7 | 13.0 | 13.1 | 12.9 | 3.6 |
Normal snowfall in inches. TALON Pro compares this season's snow at your location with these normals as winter goes on.
Which radars cover Churchill?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KTFX (Great Falls, MT), about 118 miles north. 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 Churchill | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KTFX Great Falls, MT | 118 mi north | 12,400 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KBLX Billings, MT | 130 mi east | 14,500 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KMSX Missoula, MT | 156 mi northwest | 19,300 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 Churchill
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 4 tornadoes within 25 miles of Churchill. Most came in July and June. The strongest was an F1 on June 15, 1960, which touched down about 12 miles east-southeast of town. The most recent was an F0 on July 2, 1997, which touched down about 9 miles north of town.
Hail: 60 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 June 30, 2010.
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 Churchill'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.
Churchill radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Churchill, MT?
KTFX (Great Falls, MT), about 118 miles north. KBLX (Billings, MT) is 130 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Churchill?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Churchill the lowest scan from KTFX is about 12,400 ft up, so light snow from shallow clouds can be under-shown — check NWS winter alerts too.
Is TALON's radar for Churchill 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 Churchill, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Belgrade, MT radar 7 mi
- Manhattan, MT radar 8 mi
- Bozeman, MT radar 13 mi
- Three Forks, MT radar 15 mi
- Ennis, MT radar 35 mi
- Livingston, MT radar 37 mi
- Whitehall, MT radar 39 mi
- Townsend, MT radar 41 mi
- Boulder, MT radar 51 mi
- White Sulphur Springs, MT radar 58 mi