Pinnacle, MT Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Pinnacle, Flathead County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Pinnacle?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged heavy snow or a winter storm on 264 days in the West Glacier Region forecast zone and Flathead County — the most common reported hazard around Pinnacle, mostly in January and December. Next come damaging thunderstorm winds (32 days) and extreme cold & wind chill (29 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 264 | Mar 2026 | Aug 28, 2024 · 1 death |
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 32 | May 2026 | Jul 22, 2000 · 1 death |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 29 | Feb 2025 | Nov 6, 2022 · $500 damage |
| High winds | 29 | Dec 2025 | Dec 17, 2025 · $100,000 damage |
| Flooding | 20 | Jun 2026 | Jun 4, 1996 · 3 deaths |
| Avalanches | 10 | Feb 2017 | Jan 13, 2008 · 2 deaths |
| Blizzards | 9 | Feb 2018 | — |
| Flash flooding | 5 | Jun 2022 | Nov 5, 2006 · $7.0 million 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 West Glacier Region forecast zone and Flathead County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
Which radars cover Pinnacle?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KMSX (Missoula, MT), about 92 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 Pinnacle | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KMSX Missoula, MT | 92 mi south | 8,500 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KTFX Great Falls, MT | 122 mi east-southeast | 13,000 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KOTX Spokane, WA | 190 mi west-southwest | 26,700 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 Pinnacle
NOAA has no tornado on record within 25 miles of Pinnacle since 1950.
Hail: 19 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955; the largest was 1.75-inch hail on July 17, 2013.
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 Pinnacle'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.
Pinnacle radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Pinnacle, MT?
KMSX (Missoula, MT), about 92 miles south. KTFX (Great Falls, MT) is 122 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Pinnacle?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Pinnacle the lowest scan from KMSX is about 8,500 ft up, so light snow from shallow clouds can be under-shown — check NWS winter alerts too.
Is TALON's radar for Pinnacle 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 Pinnacle, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Columbia Falls, MT radar 25 mi
- Whitefish, MT radar 33 mi
- Kalispell, MT radar 33 mi
- Polson, MT radar 52 mi
- Ronan, MT radar 61 mi