Swan Lake, MT Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Swan Lake, Lake County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Swan Lake?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged heavy snow or a winter storm on 264 days in the West Glacier Region forecast zone and Lake County — the most common reported hazard around Swan Lake, mostly in January and December. Next come damaging thunderstorm winds (33 days) and extreme cold & wind chill (29 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 264 | Mar 2026 | Aug 28, 2024 · 1 death |
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 33 | Aug 2024 | Jun 28, 2022 · $50,000 damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 29 | Feb 2025 | Nov 6, 2022 · $500 damage |
| High winds | 29 | Dec 2025 | Dec 17, 2025 · $100,000 damage |
| Flooding | 13 | Jun 2026 | Jun 4, 1996 · 3 deaths |
| Avalanches | 10 | Feb 2017 | Jan 13, 2008 · 2 deaths |
| Blizzards | 9 | Feb 2018 | — |
| Debris flows | 3 | Jun 2006 | — |
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 West Glacier Region forecast zone and Lake County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
Which radars cover Swan Lake?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KMSX (Missoula, MT), about 62 miles south. 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 Swan Lake | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KMSX Missoula, MT | 62 mi south | 4,800 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KTFX Great Falls, MT | 117 mi east-southeast | 12,200 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KOTX Spokane, WA | 178 mi west | 24,100 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 Swan Lake
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 4 tornadoes within 25 miles of Swan Lake. Most came in July and September. The strongest was an EF0 on July 18, 2007, which passed about 15 miles west-northwest of town. The most recent was an EF0 on November 4, 2013, which touched down about 12 miles west-northwest of town.
Hail: 28 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 1 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 2.00-inch hail on July 25, 2011.
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 Swan Lake'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.
Swan Lake radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Swan Lake, MT?
KMSX (Missoula, MT), about 62 miles south. KTFX (Great Falls, MT) is 117 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Swan Lake?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Swan Lake the lowest scan from KMSX is about 4,800 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Swan Lake 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 Swan Lake, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Polson, MT radar 23 mi
- Kalispell, MT radar 31 mi
- Ronan, MT radar 31 mi
- Columbia Falls, MT radar 35 mi
- Whitefish, MT radar 43 mi
- Plains, MT radar 60 mi