Hays, MT Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Hays, Blaine County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Hays?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 64 days in the Bears Paw Mountains and Southern Blaine forecast zone and Blaine County — the most common reported hazard around Hays, mostly in July and June. Next come high winds (25 days) and heavy snow & winter storms (16 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 64 | May 2026 | Jul 8, 2022 · $200,000 damage |
| High winds | 25 | May 2026 | — |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 16 | Apr 2026 | — |
| Flooding | 16 | Sep 2024 | Apr 10, 2023 · $1.5 million damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 5 | Feb 2025 | — |
| Flash flooding | 5 | Jul 2025 | — |
| Wildfires | 2 | Sep 2025 | — |
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 Bears Paw Mountains and Southern Blaine forecast zone and Blaine County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
Which radars cover Hays?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KGGW (Glasgow, MT), about 95 miles east. 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 Hays | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KGGW Glasgow, MT | 95 mi east | 8,900 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KTFX Great Falls, MT | 132 mi west-southwest | 14,800 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KBLX Billings, MT | 149 mi south | 18,000 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 Hays
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 5 tornadoes within 25 miles of Hays. Most came in July and August. The strongest was an EF0 on August 26, 2022, which passed about 24 miles north-northwest of town.
Hail: 56 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 12 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.00-inch hail on July 13, 2024.
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 Hays'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.
Hays radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Hays, MT?
KGGW (Glasgow, MT), about 95 miles east. KTFX (Great Falls, MT) is 132 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Hays?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Hays the lowest scan from KGGW is about 8,900 ft up, so light snow from shallow clouds can be under-shown — check NWS winter alerts too.
Is TALON's radar for Hays 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 Hays, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
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- Havre, MT radar 59 mi