Lakeside, MT Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Lakeside, Flathead County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Lakeside?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged heavy snow or a winter storm on 129 days in the Flathead/Mission Valleys forecast zone and Flathead County — the most common reported hazard around Lakeside, mostly in February and January. Next come high winds (43 days) and damaging thunderstorm winds (32 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 129 | Mar 2026 | Feb 13, 2025 · 4 deaths |
| High winds | 43 | Mar 2026 | Jul 14, 2025 · 1 death · $26,000 damage |
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 32 | May 2026 | Jul 22, 2000 · 1 death |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 18 | Feb 2025 | Feb 1, 1996 · $1,000 damage |
| Flooding | 15 | Jun 2026 | May 1, 1997 · $912,000 damage |
| Blizzards | 5 | Feb 2014 | Dec 12, 2008 · 1 death · $200,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 5 | Jun 2022 | Nov 5, 2006 · $7.0 million damage |
| Ice storms & sleet | 3 | Dec 2015 | Nov 21, 2014 · $30,000 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 Flathead/Mission Valleys forecast zone and Flathead County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Lakeside get?
A normal year brings about 51 inches of snow to Lakeside, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Creston weather station 12.6 miles away. The snowiest month is usually January (13.8 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.5 | 3.4 | 13.4 | 13.8 | 11.0 | 6.3 | 2.1 | 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 Lakeside?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KMSX (Missoula, MT), about 69 miles south. 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 Lakeside | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KMSX Missoula, MT | 69 mi south | 5,500 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KTFX Great Falls, MT | 138 mi east-southeast | 15,800 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KOTX Spokane, WA | 159 mi west | 20,000 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 Lakeside
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 5 tornadoes within 25 miles of Lakeside. Most came in July and April. The strongest was an EF0 on July 18, 2007, which passed about 6 miles east-southeast of town. The most recent was an EF0 on November 4, 2013, which touched down about 8 miles east-southeast of town.
Hail: 52 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 2 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 Lakeside'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.
Lakeside radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Lakeside, MT?
KMSX (Missoula, MT), about 69 miles south. KTFX (Great Falls, MT) is 138 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Lakeside?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Lakeside the lowest scan from KMSX is about 5,500 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Lakeside 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 Lakeside, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Kalispell, MT radar 14 mi
- Polson, MT radar 23 mi
- Columbia Falls, MT radar 24 mi
- Whitefish, MT radar 29 mi
- Ronan, MT radar 34 mi
- Plains, MT radar 49 mi
- Thompson Falls, MT radar 59 mi