Saltese, MT Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Saltese, Mineral County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Saltese?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged heavy snow or a winter storm on 266 days in the Lower Clark Fork Region forecast zone and Mineral County — the most common reported hazard around Saltese, mostly in December and January. Next come high winds (18 days) and extreme cold & wind chill (12 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 266 | Mar 2026 | Sep 13, 2017 · 1 death · $1,000 damage |
| High winds | 18 | Mar 2026 | Feb 22, 2012 · $214,000 damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 12 | Feb 2025 | Jan 28, 1996 · 1 death |
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 12 | Jul 2024 | Aug 11, 2015 · 1 death · $2,000 damage |
| Flooding | 6 | Dec 2025 | Dec 11, 2025 · $4.0 million damage |
| Wildfires | 4 | Aug 2015 | Aug 28, 2015 · $10,000 damage |
| Excessive heat | 4 | Jul 2024 | — |
| Ice storms & sleet | 3 | Dec 2023 | Dec 16, 2023 · 2 deaths · $70,000 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 Lower Clark Fork Region forecast zone and Mineral County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Saltese get?
A normal year brings about 15 inches of snow to Saltese, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Thompson Falls Ph weather station 14.5 miles away. The snowiest month is usually December (7.5 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.7 | 2.5 | 7.5 | 2.5 | 0.6 | 1.2 | 0.3 | 0.0 |
Normal snowfall in inches. TALON Pro compares this season's snow at your location with these normals as winter goes on.
Which radars cover Saltese?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KMSX (Missoula, MT), about 76 miles east-southeast. 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 Saltese | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KMSX Missoula, MT | 76 mi east-southeast | 6,400 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KOTX Spokane, WA | 100 mi west-northwest | 9,700 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KTFX Great Falls, MT | 193 mi east | 27,500 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 Saltese
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 1 tornado within 25 miles of Saltese. The strongest was an F0 on July 9, 1978, which touched down about 14 miles north-northeast of town.
Hail: 12 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 1 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 2.75-inch hail on May 27, 1993.
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 Saltese'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.
Saltese radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Saltese, MT?
KMSX (Missoula, MT), about 76 miles east-southeast. KOTX (Spokane, WA) is 100 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Saltese?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Saltese the lowest scan from KMSX is about 6,400 ft up, so light snow from shallow clouds can be under-shown — check NWS winter alerts too.
Is TALON's radar for Saltese 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 Saltese, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Thompson Falls, MT radar 15 mi
- Plains, MT radar 30 mi