Sidney, MT Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Sidney, Richland County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Sidney?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 104 days in the Richland forecast zone and Richland County — the most common reported hazard around Sidney, mostly in July and June. Next come high winds (47 days) and heavy snow & winter storms (40 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 104 | Jun 2026 | Jul 29, 2011 · $750,000 damage |
| High winds | 47 | May 2026 | Apr 5, 2000 · $6,000 damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 40 | Oct 2023 | Nov 1, 2000 · $435,000 damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 35 | Jan 2026 | — |
| Blizzards | 23 | Apr 2022 | — |
| Flooding | 20 | Aug 2025 | Mar 20, 1997 · $280,000 damage |
| Flash flooding | 13 | May 2023 | Jul 1, 1997 · $269,000 damage |
| Ice storms & sleet | 8 | Dec 2024 | — |
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 Richland forecast zone and Richland County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Sidney get?
A normal year brings about 30 inches of snow to Sidney, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Sidney weather station 1.3 miles away. The snowiest month is usually December (7.9 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.5 | 3.0 | 7.9 | 7.0 | 5.6 | 3.0 | 1.7 | 0.7 |
Normal snowfall in inches. TALON Pro compares this season's snow at your location with these normals as winter goes on.
Which radars cover Sidney?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KGGW (Glasgow, MT), about 119 miles west-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 Sidney | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KGGW Glasgow, MT | 119 mi west-northwest | 12,500 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KMBX Minot AFB, ND | 160 mi east-northeast | 20,100 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KBIS Bismarck, ND | 173 mi east-southeast | 22,900 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 Sidney
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 16 tornadoes within 25 miles of Sidney, 3 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in June and July. The strongest was an F2 on June 23, 1953, which passed about 24 miles west-southwest of town. The most recent was a tornado of unknown strength on June 10, 2021, which touched down about 19 miles southeast of town.
Hail: 156 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 11 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 4.50-inch hail on July 4, 1964.
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 Sidney'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.
Sidney radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Sidney, MT?
KGGW (Glasgow, MT), about 119 miles west-northwest. KMBX (Minot AFB, ND) is 160 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Sidney?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Sidney the lowest scan from KGGW is about 12,500 ft up, so light snow from shallow clouds can be under-shown — check NWS winter alerts too.
Is TALON's radar for Sidney 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 Sidney, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Glendive, MT radar 49 mi