Missoula, MT Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Missoula, Missoula County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Missoula?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged heavy snow or a winter storm on 96 days in the Missoula/Bitterroot Valleys forecast zone and Missoula County — the most common reported hazard around Missoula, mostly in February and January. Next come damaging thunderstorm winds (58 days) and high winds (40 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 96 | Feb 2025 | Feb 16, 2025 · 3 deaths |
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 58 | Jul 2025 | Jul 10, 1998 · 1 death · $260,000 damage |
| High winds | 40 | Dec 2025 | Dec 17, 2025 · $307,000 damage |
| Flooding | 26 | May 2023 | Mar 11, 1996 · $1.3 million damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 16 | Feb 2025 | — |
| Blizzards | 6 | Feb 2019 | — |
| Ice storms & sleet | 5 | Feb 2025 | Nov 19, 1997 · 2 deaths |
| Wildfires | 5 | Jul 2023 | Jul 30, 2023 · $300,000 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 Missoula/Bitterroot Valleys forecast zone and Missoula County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Missoula get?
A normal year brings about 50 inches of snow to Missoula, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Missoula 2 Ne weather station 3.2 miles away. The snowiest month is usually December (12.9 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.7 | 6.9 | 12.9 | 12.5 | 7.9 | 7.4 | 1.4 | 0.3 |
Normal snowfall in inches. TALON Pro compares this season's snow at your location with these normals as winter goes on.
Which radars cover Missoula?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KMSX (Missoula, MT), about 12 miles north. 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 Missoula | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KMSX Missoula, MT | 12 mi north | 600 ft | Excellent — the lowest scan sees close to the ground |
| KTFX Great Falls, MT | 131 mi east-northeast | 14,500 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KOTX Spokane, WA | 178 mi west-northwest | 24,000 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 Missoula
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 2 tornadoes within 25 miles of Missoula. The strongest was an F0 on July 20, 1983, which touched down about 4 miles west-northwest of town. The most recent was an F0 on March 3, 1991, which touched down about 17 miles north of town.
Hail: 68 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 7 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 2.50-inch hail on July 8, 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 Missoula'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.
Missoula radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Missoula, MT?
KMSX (Missoula, MT), about 12 miles north. KTFX (Great Falls, MT) is 131 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Missoula?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Missoula the lowest scan from KMSX is about 600 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Missoula 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 Missoula, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Stevensville, MT radar 26 mi
- Hamilton, MT radar 44 mi
- Ronan, MT radar 45 mi
- Polson, MT radar 56 mi
- Plains, MT radar 57 mi