Sula, MT Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Sula, Ravalli County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Sula?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged heavy snow or a winter storm on 207 days in the Bitterroot/Sapphire Mountains forecast zone and Ravalli County — the most common reported hazard around Sula, mostly in December and February. Next come damaging thunderstorm winds (28 days) and high winds (15 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 207 | Mar 2026 | Jan 5, 2015 · 1 death |
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 28 | Sep 2025 | Jul 24, 2024 · $25,000 damage |
| High winds | 15 | Dec 2025 | Dec 17, 2025 · $15,000 damage |
| Flooding | 12 | May 2020 | May 16, 1996 · 1 death |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 11 | Feb 2023 | — |
| Flash flooding | 6 | Jul 2021 | Jul 1, 2021 · $30,000 damage |
| Wildfires | 4 | Aug 2012 | — |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 4 | Jul 2023 | May 27, 2010 · $250,000 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 Bitterroot/Sapphire Mountains forecast zone and Ravalli County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Sula get?
A normal year brings about 88 inches of snow to Sula, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Sula 14 Ne weather station 11.4 miles away. The snowiest month is usually December (19.0 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.4 | 10.3 | 19.0 | 15.8 | 17.0 | 14.3 | 6.3 | 2.0 |
Normal snowfall in inches. TALON Pro compares this season's snow at your location with these normals as winter goes on.
Which radars cover Sula?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KMSX (Missoula, MT), about 83 miles north. 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 Sula | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KMSX Missoula, MT | 83 mi north | 7,200 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KTFX Great Falls, MT | 165 mi northeast | 21,300 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KCBX Boise, ID | 198 mi southwest | 28,600 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 Sula
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 1 tornado within 25 miles of Sula. The strongest was an F0 on May 16, 1991, which touched down about 24 miles east of town.
Hail: 24 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 June 28, 1988.
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 Sula'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.
Sula radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Sula, MT?
KMSX (Missoula, MT), about 83 miles north. KTFX (Great Falls, MT) is 165 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Sula?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Sula the lowest scan from KMSX is about 7,200 ft up, so light snow from shallow clouds can be under-shown — check NWS winter alerts too.
Is TALON's radar for Sula 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 Sula, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.