Three Forks, MT Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Three Forks, Gallatin County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Three Forks?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 50 days in the Missouri Headwaters forecast zone and Gallatin County — the most common reported hazard around Three Forks, mostly in July and August. Next come flooding (10 days) and heavy snow & winter storms (9 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 50 | Nov 2025 | Jul 3, 2000 · $25,000 damage |
| Flooding | 10 | Apr 2023 | Apr 10, 2023 · $1.0 million damage |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 9 | Mar 2026 | — |
| High winds | 7 | Mar 2026 | — |
| Wildfires | 5 | Mar 2026 | Sep 1, 2000 · $160,000 damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 4 | Feb 2025 | — |
| Flash flooding | 2 | Aug 2021 | — |
| Lightning casualties & damage | 1 | Jun 1999 | Jun 17, 1999 · 1 death |
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 Missouri Headwaters forecast zone and Gallatin County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
Which radars cover Three Forks?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KTFX (Great Falls, MT), about 109 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 Three Forks | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KTFX Great Falls, MT | 109 mi north | 10,900 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KMSX Missoula, MT | 141 mi northwest | 16,300 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KBLX Billings, MT | 142 mi east | 16,600 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 Three Forks
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 3 tornadoes within 25 miles of Three Forks. Most came in July and May. The strongest was an F0 on July 2, 1997, which touched down about 11 miles east of town.
Hail: 33 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 3 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 2.75-inch hail on June 30, 2010.
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 Three Forks'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.
Three Forks radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Three Forks, MT?
KTFX (Great Falls, MT), about 109 miles north. KMSX (Missoula, MT) is 141 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Three Forks?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Three Forks the lowest scan from KTFX is about 10,900 ft up, so light snow from shallow clouds can be under-shown — check NWS winter alerts too.
Is TALON's radar for Three Forks 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 Three Forks, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
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- Ennis, MT radar 39 mi
- Livingston, MT radar 50 mi
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