Sapphire Ridge, MT Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Sapphire Ridge, Judith Basin County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Sapphire Ridge?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged high winds on 48 days in the Judith Basin County and Judith Gap forecast zone and Judith Basin County — the most common reported hazard around Sapphire Ridge, mostly in February and December. Next come damaging thunderstorm winds (45 days) and heavy snow & winter storms (14 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| High winds | 48 | May 2026 | — |
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 45 | Jun 2026 | — |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 14 | Dec 2025 | — |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 5 | Feb 2025 | — |
| Flooding | 5 | Jul 2019 | May 19, 2011 · $50,000 damage |
| Wildfires | 4 | Sep 2001 | — |
| Blizzards | 2 | Mar 2026 | — |
| Ice storms & sleet | 1 | Jan 2023 | — |
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 Judith Basin County and Judith Gap forecast zone and Judith Basin County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
Which radars cover Sapphire Ridge?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KTFX (Great Falls, MT), about 66 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 Sapphire Ridge | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KTFX Great Falls, MT | 66 mi northwest | 5,300 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KBLX Billings, MT | 106 mi southeast | 10,500 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KMSX Missoula, MT | 176 mi west | 23,700 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 Sapphire Ridge
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 19 tornadoes within 25 miles of Sapphire Ridge, 3 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in June and July. The strongest was an F2 on July 10, 1965, which touched down about 9 miles southwest of town. The most recent was an EF0 on July 6, 2022, which touched down about 14 miles north of town.
Hail: 100 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 11 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 2.75-inch hail on June 16, 2007.
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 Sapphire Ridge'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.
Sapphire Ridge radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Sapphire Ridge, MT?
KTFX (Great Falls, MT), about 66 miles northwest. KBLX (Billings, MT) is 106 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Sapphire Ridge?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Sapphire Ridge the lowest scan from KTFX is about 5,300 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Sapphire Ridge 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 Sapphire Ridge, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.