Deer Lodge, MT Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Deer Lodge, Powell County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Deer Lodge?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged heavy snow or a winter storm on 163 days in the Butte/Blackfoot Region forecast zone and Powell County — the most common reported hazard around Deer Lodge, mostly in February and November. Next come high winds (42 days) and extreme cold & wind chill (28 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 163 | Mar 2026 | Nov 24, 2015 · 1 death · $15,000 damage |
| High winds | 42 | Dec 2025 | Nov 12, 2007 · $650,000 damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 28 | Feb 2025 | — |
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 17 | Sep 2025 | May 6, 2017 · 1 death |
| Flooding | 13 | Jun 2018 | Jun 19, 2018 · $70,000 damage |
| Blizzards | 4 | Apr 2008 | — |
| Avalanches | 4 | Feb 2025 | Jan 6, 2012 · 1 death · $500 damage |
| Flash flooding | 2 | Aug 2014 | Aug 15, 2014 · $500 damage |
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 Butte/Blackfoot Region forecast zone and Powell County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
Which radars cover Deer Lodge?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KMSX (Missoula, MT), about 74 miles northwest. 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 Deer Lodge | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KMSX Missoula, MT | 74 mi northwest | 6,200 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KTFX Great Falls, MT | 97 mi northeast | 9,200 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KBLX Billings, MT | 201 mi east | 29,500 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 Deer Lodge
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 5 tornadoes within 25 miles of Deer Lodge. Most came in May and June. The strongest was an F1 on June 28, 1982, which touched down about 3 miles east of town. The most recent was an F0 on September 15, 1997, which touched down about 21 miles south-southwest of town.
Hail: 47 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955; the largest was 1.75-inch hail on July 4, 2008.
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 Deer Lodge'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.
Deer Lodge radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Deer Lodge, MT?
KMSX (Missoula, MT), about 74 miles northwest. KTFX (Great Falls, MT) is 97 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Deer Lodge?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Deer Lodge the lowest scan from KMSX is about 6,200 ft up, so light snow from shallow clouds can be under-shown — check NWS winter alerts too.
Is TALON's radar for Deer Lodge 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 Deer Lodge, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Anaconda-Deer Lodge County, MT radar 29 mi
- Boulder, MT radar 31 mi
- Butte-Silver Bow (balance), MT radar 35 mi
- Helena, MT radar 37 mi
- East Helena, MT radar 41 mi
- Whitehall, MT radar 47 mi
- Townsend, MT radar 58 mi