Dillon, MT Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Dillon, Beaverhead County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Dillon?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 54 days in the Beaverhead and Western Madison below 6000ft forecast zone and Beaverhead County — the most common reported hazard around Dillon, mostly in August and July. Next come high winds (23 days) and heavy snow & winter storms (6 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 54 | May 2026 | — |
| High winds | 23 | May 2026 | — |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 6 | Jan 2024 | — |
| Wildfires | 6 | Sep 2000 | Sep 1, 2000 · $10,000 damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 4 | Feb 2025 | — |
| Flash flooding | 3 | Jul 2013 | — |
| Flooding | 3 | Jan 2024 | Jan 16, 2024 · $100,000 damage |
| Blizzards | 1 | Dec 2022 | — |
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 Beaverhead and Western Madison below 6000ft forecast zone and Beaverhead County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Dillon get?
A normal year brings about 11 inches of snow to Dillon, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Dillon U Of Montana Western weather station in town. The snowiest month is usually December (4.6 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.4 | 2.9 | 4.6 | 1.7 | 0.9 | 0.4 | 0.2 | 0.1 |
Normal snowfall in inches. TALON Pro compares this season's snow at your location with these normals as winter goes on.
Which radars cover Dillon?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KMSX (Missoula, MT), about 142 miles north-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 Dillon | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KMSX Missoula, MT | 142 mi north-northwest | 16,600 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KSFX Pocatello, ID | 146 mi south | 17,400 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KTFX Great Falls, MT | 166 mi north-northeast | 21,400 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 Dillon
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 4 tornadoes within 25 miles of Dillon, 1 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in July and August. The strongest was an F2 on May 19, 1962, which touched down about 7 miles north-northwest of town. The most recent was an EF0 on July 10, 2016, which touched down near town.
Hail: 14 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 2 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 2.75-inch hail on July 9, 1963.
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 Dillon'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.
Dillon radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Dillon, MT?
KMSX (Missoula, MT), about 142 miles north-northwest. KSFX (Pocatello, ID) is 146 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Dillon?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Dillon the lowest scan from KMSX is about 16,600 ft up, so light snow from shallow clouds can be under-shown — check NWS winter alerts too.
Is TALON's radar for Dillon 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 Dillon, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Ennis, MT radar 45 mi
- Butte-Silver Bow (balance), MT radar 47 mi
- Whitehall, MT radar 52 mi