Lincoln, MT Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Lincoln, Lewis and Clark County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Lincoln?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 61 days in the Upper Blackfoot and MacDonald Pass forecast zone and Lewis and Clark County — the most common reported hazard around Lincoln, mostly in July and June. Next come high winds (22 days) and flash flooding (18 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 61 | Sep 2025 | Jun 20, 2003 · $10,000 damage |
| High winds | 22 | Jun 2026 | — |
| Flash flooding | 18 | Sep 2024 | Jul 3, 2022 · $700,000 damage |
| Flooding | 14 | Jun 2023 | Apr 9, 2023 · $100,000 damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 13 | Mar 2026 | — |
| Wildfires | 8 | Sep 2024 | Jul 23, 2000 · $2.5 million damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 6 | Feb 2025 | — |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 3 | Jun 2023 | — |
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 Upper Blackfoot and MacDonald Pass forecast zone and Lewis and Clark County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
Which radars cover Lincoln?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KMSX (Missoula, MT), about 62 miles west. 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 Lincoln | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KMSX Missoula, MT | 62 mi west | 4,800 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KTFX Great Falls, MT | 70 mi east-northeast | 5,700 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KBLX Billings, MT | 208 mi east-southeast | 31,200 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 Lincoln
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 1 tornado within 25 miles of Lincoln. The strongest was an F0 on July 9, 1992, which touched down about 17 miles east-southeast of town.
Hail: 27 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 1 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 2.00-inch hail on June 29, 1982.
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 Lincoln'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.
Lincoln radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Lincoln, MT?
KMSX (Missoula, MT), about 62 miles west. KTFX (Great Falls, MT) is 70 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Lincoln?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Lincoln the lowest scan from KMSX is about 4,800 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Lincoln 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 Lincoln, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Deer Lodge, MT radar 38 mi
- Helena, MT radar 39 mi
- East Helena, MT radar 44 mi
- Boulder, MT radar 56 mi