Rader Creek, MT Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Rader Creek, Jefferson County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Rader Creek?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged heavy snow or a winter storm on 15 days in the Elkhorn and Boulder Mountains forecast zone and Jefferson County — the most common reported hazard around Rader Creek, mostly in April and October. Next come damaging thunderstorm winds (11 days) and extreme cold & wind chill (8 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 15 | Mar 2026 | — |
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 11 | Sep 2025 | — |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 8 | Feb 2025 | — |
| Wildfires | 6 | Nov 2024 | — |
| High winds | 6 | Apr 2026 | — |
| Flash flooding | 3 | Jun 2023 | Jun 27, 2023 · $100,000 damage |
| Flooding | 3 | Jul 2025 | — |
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 Elkhorn and Boulder Mountains forecast zone and Jefferson County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
Which radars cover Rader Creek?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KMSX (Missoula, MT), about 115 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 Rader Creek | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KMSX Missoula, MT | 115 mi northwest | 11,900 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KTFX Great Falls, MT | 120 mi north-northeast | 12,700 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KBLX Billings, MT | 179 mi east | 24,200 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 Rader Creek
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 1 tornado within 25 miles of Rader Creek.
Hail: 49 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 3 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 Rader Creek'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.
Rader Creek radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Rader Creek, MT?
KMSX (Missoula, MT), about 115 miles northwest. KTFX (Great Falls, MT) is 120 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Rader Creek?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Rader Creek the lowest scan from KMSX is about 11,900 ft up, so light snow from shallow clouds can be under-shown — check NWS winter alerts too.
Is TALON's radar for Rader Creek 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 Rader Creek, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
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- Butte-Silver Bow (balance), MT radar 17 mi
- Boulder, MT radar 29 mi
- Three Forks, MT radar 37 mi
- Deer Lodge, MT radar 43 mi
- Anaconda-Deer Lodge County, MT radar 43 mi
- Ennis, MT radar 45 mi
- Dillon, MT radar 46 mi
- Manhattan, MT radar 47 mi
- Townsend, MT radar 50 mi