Paradise, MT Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Paradise, Sanders County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Paradise?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged heavy snow or a winter storm on 266 days in the Lower Clark Fork Region forecast zone and Sanders County — the most common reported hazard around Paradise, mostly in December and January. Next come high winds (18 days) and damaging thunderstorm winds (17 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 266 | Mar 2026 | Sep 13, 2017 · 1 death · $1,000 damage |
| High winds | 18 | Mar 2026 | Feb 22, 2012 · $214,000 damage |
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 17 | Sep 2024 | Jul 17, 2007 · $30,000 damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 12 | Feb 2025 | Jan 28, 1996 · 1 death |
| Flooding | 10 | Dec 2025 | Feb 7, 1996 · $700,000 damage |
| Excessive heat | 4 | Jul 2024 | — |
| Wildfires | 3 | Aug 2015 | Aug 28, 2015 · $10,000 damage |
| Ice storms & sleet | 3 | Dec 2023 | Dec 16, 2023 · 2 deaths · $70,000 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 Lower Clark Fork Region forecast zone and Sanders County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
Which radars cover Paradise?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KMSX (Missoula, MT), about 45 miles east-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 Paradise | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KMSX Missoula, MT | 45 mi east-southeast | 3,100 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KOTX Spokane, WA | 134 mi west | 15,100 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KTFX Great Falls, MT | 160 mi east | 20,100 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 Paradise
NOAA has no tornado on record within 25 miles of Paradise since 1950.
Hail: 18 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955; the largest was 1.75-inch hail on August 10, 2019.
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 Paradise'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.
Paradise radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Paradise, MT?
KMSX (Missoula, MT), about 45 miles east-southeast. KOTX (Spokane, WA) is 134 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Paradise?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Paradise the lowest scan from KMSX is about 3,100 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Paradise 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 Paradise, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Plains, MT radar 7 mi
- Thompson Falls, MT radar 30 mi
- Ronan, MT radar 34 mi
- Polson, MT radar 37 mi
- Missoula, MT radar 51 mi
- Kalispell, MT radar 61 mi