Poplar, MT Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Poplar, Roosevelt County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Poplar?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 118 days in the Western Roosevelt forecast zone and Roosevelt County — the most common reported hazard around Poplar, mostly in July and June. Next come high winds (63 days) and extreme cold & wind chill (54 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 118 | Jun 2026 | Jun 16, 2010 · 1 death · $250,000 damage |
| High winds | 63 | May 2026 | Apr 5, 2000 · $20,000 damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 54 | Feb 2025 | Jan 8, 1997 · 1 death |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 39 | Feb 2025 | Oct 11, 2008 · 1 death |
| Flash flooding | 21 | Jun 2026 | Jul 4, 1998 · $1.3 million damage |
| Flooding | 20 | Apr 2023 | — |
| Blizzards | 19 | Feb 2026 | — |
| Ice storms & sleet | 7 | Jan 2026 | Jan 19, 2010 · $15,000 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 Western Roosevelt forecast zone and Roosevelt County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
Which radars cover Poplar?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KGGW (Glasgow, MT), about 66 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 Poplar | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KGGW Glasgow, MT | 66 mi west | 5,200 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KMBX Minot AFB, ND | 200 mi east | 29,300 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KBLX Billings, MT | 224 mi southwest | 35,400 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 Poplar
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 14 tornadoes within 25 miles of Poplar, 2 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in July and June. The strongest was an EF2 on July 15, 2013, which passed about 18 miles north of town.
Hail: 125 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 14 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 3.50-inch hail on June 18, 2016.
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 Poplar'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.
Poplar radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Poplar, MT?
KGGW (Glasgow, MT), about 66 miles west. KMBX (Minot AFB, ND) is 200 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Poplar?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Poplar the lowest scan from KGGW is about 5,200 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Poplar 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 Poplar, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Wolf Point, MT radar 21 mi
- Plentywood, MT radar 55 mi
- Sidney, MT radar 55 mi