Columbus, MT Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Columbus, Stillwater County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Columbus?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged heavy snow or a winter storm on 126 days in the Northern Stillwater forecast zone and Stillwater County — the most common reported hazard around Columbus, mostly in February and March. Next come high winds (104 days) and damaging thunderstorm winds (46 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 126 | Mar 2026 | — |
| High winds | 104 | May 2026 | Dec 28, 1998 · $10,000 damage |
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 46 | May 2026 | Jul 13, 1998 · $525,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 9 | Jun 2023 | — |
| Wildfires | 8 | Sep 2015 | Mar 28, 2015 · 1 death |
| Flooding | 7 | Mar 2019 | May 20, 2011 · $2.0 million damage |
| Blizzards | 3 | Dec 2008 | — |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 1 | Dec 1998 | — |
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 Stillwater forecast zone and Stillwater County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Columbus get?
A normal year brings about 48 inches of snow to Columbus, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Columbus weather station 1.1 miles away. The snowiest month is usually December (9.2 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.8 | 5.9 | 9.2 | 7.0 | 8.8 | 7.7 | 4.5 | 0.5 |
Normal snowfall in inches. TALON Pro compares this season's snow at your location with these normals as winter goes on.
Which radars cover Columbus?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KBLX (Billings, MT), about 34 miles east-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 Columbus | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KBLX Billings, MT | 34 mi east-northeast | 2,200 ft | Excellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground |
| KTFX Great Falls, MT | 162 mi northwest | 20,600 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KRIW Riverton, WY | 182 mi south-southeast | 24,900 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 Columbus
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 5 tornadoes within 25 miles of Columbus. Most came in August and June. The strongest was an F1 on August 12, 1958, which touched down about 22 miles east-northeast of town. The most recent was an EF0 on June 6, 2011, which touched down about 25 miles northeast of town.
Hail: 194 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 10 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 2.75-inch hail on August 11, 2019.
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 Columbus'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.
Columbus radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Columbus, MT?
KBLX (Billings, MT), about 34 miles east-northeast. KTFX (Great Falls, MT) is 162 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Columbus?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Columbus the lowest scan from KBLX is about 2,200 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Columbus 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 Columbus, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Laurel, MT radar 23 mi
- Red Lodge, MT radar 31 mi
- Billings, MT radar 35 mi
- Big Timber, MT radar 36 mi