Kila, MT Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Kila, Flathead County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Kila?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged heavy snow or a winter storm on 175 days in the Kootenai/Cabinet Region forecast zone and Flathead County — the most common reported hazard around Kila, mostly in December and January. Next come damaging thunderstorm winds (32 days) and high winds (27 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 175 | Oct 2025 | Nov 18, 1996 · 1 death |
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 32 | May 2026 | Jul 22, 2000 · 1 death |
| High winds | 27 | Mar 2026 | Dec 17, 2025 · $610,000 damage |
| Flooding | 21 | Jun 2026 | May 1, 1997 · $543,000 damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 9 | Feb 2025 | — |
| Flash flooding | 5 | Jun 2022 | Nov 5, 2006 · $7.0 million damage |
| Excessive heat | 4 | Jul 2024 | — |
| Ice storms & sleet | 3 | Dec 2024 | — |
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 Kootenai/Cabinet Region forecast zone and Flathead County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
Which radars cover Kila?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KMSX (Missoula, MT), about 78 miles south-southeast. 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 Kila | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KMSX Missoula, MT | 78 mi south-southeast | 6,600 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KOTX Spokane, WA | 149 mi west | 18,000 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KTFX Great Falls, MT | 151 mi east-southeast | 18,300 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 Kila
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 5 tornadoes within 25 miles of Kila. Most came in July and September. The strongest was an EF0 on July 18, 2007, which passed about 19 miles east-southeast of town. The most recent was an EF0 on November 4, 2013, which touched down about 21 miles east-southeast of town.
Hail: 53 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 1 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 2.50-inch hail on July 7, 2022.
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 Kila'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.
Kila radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Kila, MT?
KMSX (Missoula, MT), about 78 miles south-southeast. KOTX (Spokane, WA) is 149 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Kila?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Kila the lowest scan from KMSX is about 6,600 ft up, so light snow from shallow clouds can be under-shown — check NWS winter alerts too.
Is TALON's radar for Kila 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 Kila, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Kalispell, MT radar 9 mi
- Columbia Falls, MT radar 22 mi
- Whitefish, MT radar 23 mi
- Polson, MT radar 34 mi
- Ronan, MT radar 45 mi
- Plains, MT radar 49 mi
- Libby, MT radar 53 mi
- Thompson Falls, MT radar 54 mi
- Eureka, MT radar 59 mi