Racetrack, MT Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Racetrack, Powell County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Racetrack?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged heavy snow or a winter storm on 163 days in the Butte/Blackfoot Region forecast zone and Powell County — the most common reported hazard around Racetrack, mostly in February and November. Next come high winds (42 days) and extreme cold & wind chill (28 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 163 | Mar 2026 | Nov 24, 2015 · 1 death · $15,000 damage |
| High winds | 42 | Dec 2025 | Nov 12, 2007 · $650,000 damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 28 | Feb 2025 | — |
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 17 | Sep 2025 | May 6, 2017 · 1 death |
| Flooding | 13 | Jun 2018 | Jun 19, 2018 · $70,000 damage |
| Blizzards | 4 | Apr 2008 | — |
| Avalanches | 4 | Feb 2025 | Jan 6, 2012 · 1 death · $500 damage |
| Flash flooding | 2 | Aug 2014 | Aug 15, 2014 · $500 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 Butte/Blackfoot Region forecast zone and Powell County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Racetrack get?
A normal year brings about 75 inches of snow to Racetrack, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Anaconda weather station 13.6 miles away. The snowiest month is usually November (12.1 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.3 | 12.1 | 12.1 | 11.4 | 11.3 | 11.8 | 9.9 | 2.0 |
Normal snowfall in inches. TALON Pro compares this season's snow at your location with these normals as winter goes on.
Which radars cover Racetrack?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KMSX (Missoula, MT), about 79 miles northwest. 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 Racetrack | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KMSX Missoula, MT | 79 mi northwest | 6,800 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KTFX Great Falls, MT | 104 mi northeast | 10,200 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KBLX Billings, MT | 200 mi east | 29,300 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 Racetrack
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 4 tornadoes within 25 miles of Racetrack. Most came in May and June. The strongest was an F1 on June 28, 1982, which touched down about 9 miles north-northeast of town. The most recent was an F0 on September 15, 1997, which touched down about 13 miles south-southwest of town.
Hail: 53 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 1 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 2.50-inch hail on August 6, 2009.
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 Racetrack'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.
Racetrack radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Racetrack, MT?
KMSX (Missoula, MT), about 79 miles northwest. KTFX (Great Falls, MT) is 104 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Racetrack?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Racetrack the lowest scan from KMSX is about 6,800 ft up, so light snow from shallow clouds can be under-shown — check NWS winter alerts too.
Is TALON's radar for Racetrack 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 Racetrack, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Deer Lodge, MT radar 8 mi
- Anaconda-Deer Lodge County, MT radar 23 mi
- Butte-Silver Bow (balance), MT radar 27 mi
- Boulder, MT radar 30 mi
- Helena, MT radar 41 mi
- Whitehall, MT radar 42 mi
- East Helena, MT radar 45 mi
- Townsend, MT radar 59 mi