Polebridge, MT Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Polebridge, Flathead County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Polebridge?
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 Polebridge, 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 Polebridge?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KMSX (Missoula, MT), about 120 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 Polebridge | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KMSX Missoula, MT | 120 mi south | 12,700 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KTFX Great Falls, MT | 161 mi east-southeast | 20,400 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KOTX Spokane, WA | 171 mi west-southwest | 22,500 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 Polebridge
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 1 tornado within 25 miles of Polebridge. The strongest was an F0 on September 10, 2000, which touched down about 24 miles south of town.
Hail: 18 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 2 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 2.75-inch hail on July 2, 1996.
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 Polebridge'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.
Polebridge radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Polebridge, MT?
KMSX (Missoula, MT), about 120 miles south. KTFX (Great Falls, MT) is 161 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Polebridge?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Polebridge the lowest scan from KMSX is about 12,700 ft up, so light snow from shallow clouds can be under-shown — check NWS winter alerts too.
Is TALON's radar for Polebridge 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 Polebridge, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Whitefish, MT radar 23 mi
- Columbia Falls, MT radar 27 mi
- Eureka, MT radar 36 mi
- Kalispell, MT radar 38 mi