Custer, MT Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Custer, Yellowstone County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Custer?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 135 days in the Northeastern Yellowstone forecast zone and Yellowstone County — the most common reported hazard around Custer, mostly in July and August. Next come flash flooding (16 days) and flooding (13 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 135 | Jun 2026 | Aug 11, 2019 · $2.5 million damage |
| Flash flooding | 16 | Jun 2023 | Jun 20, 2010 · $2.7 million damage |
| Flooding | 13 | Jul 2025 | May 21, 2011 · 1 death · $300,000 damage |
| High winds | 10 | Mar 2026 | — |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 10 | Mar 2026 | — |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 4 | Jul 2009 | Jul 4, 2009 · 1 death |
| Wildfires | 1 | Aug 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 Northeastern Yellowstone forecast zone and Yellowstone County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
Which radars cover Custer?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KBLX (Billings, MT), about 54 miles west-southwest. 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 Custer | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KBLX Billings, MT | 54 mi west-southwest | 3,900 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KGGW Glasgow, MT | 150 mi north-northeast | 18,200 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KTFX Great Falls, MT | 203 mi west-northwest | 30,000 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 Custer
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 6 tornadoes within 25 miles of Custer. Most came in June and August. The strongest was an F1 on June 22, 1996, which passed about 23 miles south of town. The most recent was an EF1 on May 21, 2016, which touched down about 24 miles west-northwest of town.
Hail: 106 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 17 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 3.00-inch hail on June 5, 1958.
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 Custer'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.
Custer radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Custer, MT?
KBLX (Billings, MT), about 54 miles west-southwest. KGGW (Glasgow, MT) is 150 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Custer?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Custer the lowest scan from KBLX is about 3,900 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Custer 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 Custer, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Hardin, MT radar 27 mi
- Forsyth, MT radar 43 mi
- Colstrip, MT radar 47 mi
- Roundup, MT radar 52 mi
- Billings, MT radar 53 mi