Square Butte, MT Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Square Butte, Chouteau County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Square Butte?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 81 days in the Western and Central Chouteau County forecast zone and Chouteau County — the most common reported hazard around Square Butte, mostly in July and June. Next come high winds (28 days) and heavy snow & winter storms (8 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 81 | May 2026 | Jul 13, 2000 · $2,000 damage |
| High winds | 28 | May 2026 | — |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 8 | Dec 2025 | — |
| Flooding | 7 | May 2024 | May 7, 2024 · $194,000 damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 4 | Feb 2025 | — |
| Flash flooding | 2 | Jul 2011 | — |
| Ice storms & sleet | 1 | Jan 2023 | — |
| Wildfires | 1 | Mar 2026 | — |
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 Western and Central Chouteau County forecast zone and Chouteau County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
Which radars cover Square Butte?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KTFX (Great Falls, MT), about 56 miles west. 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 Square Butte | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KTFX Great Falls, MT | 56 mi west | 4,100 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KBLX Billings, MT | 137 mi southeast | 15,800 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KGGW Glasgow, MT | 172 mi east-northeast | 22,800 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 Square Butte
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 10 tornadoes within 25 miles of Square Butte, 3 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in July and June. The strongest was an F3 on July 5, 1988, which passed about 22 miles northeast of town. The most recent was an F0 on August 5, 2002, which passed about 23 miles southwest of town.
Hail: 89 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 14 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 2.75-inch hail on July 5, 2000.
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 Square Butte'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.
Square Butte radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Square Butte, MT?
KTFX (Great Falls, MT), about 56 miles west. KBLX (Billings, MT) is 137 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Square Butte?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Square Butte the lowest scan from KTFX is about 4,100 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Square Butte 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 Square Butte, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Fort Benton, MT radar 30 mi
- Lewistown, MT radar 47 mi
- Great Falls, MT radar 51 mi