Trout Creek, MT Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Trout Creek, Sanders County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Trout Creek?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged heavy snow or a winter storm on 266 days in the Lower Clark Fork Region forecast zone and Sanders County — the most common reported hazard around Trout Creek, mostly in December and January. Next come high winds (18 days) and damaging thunderstorm winds (17 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 266 | Mar 2026 | Sep 13, 2017 · 1 death · $1,000 damage |
| High winds | 18 | Mar 2026 | Feb 22, 2012 · $214,000 damage |
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 17 | Sep 2024 | Jul 17, 2007 · $30,000 damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 12 | Feb 2025 | Jan 28, 1996 · 1 death |
| Flooding | 10 | Dec 2025 | Feb 7, 1996 · $700,000 damage |
| Excessive heat | 4 | Jul 2024 | — |
| Wildfires | 3 | Aug 2015 | Aug 28, 2015 · $10,000 damage |
| Ice storms & sleet | 3 | Dec 2023 | Dec 16, 2023 · 2 deaths · $70,000 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 Lower Clark Fork Region forecast zone and Sanders County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Trout Creek get?
A normal year brings about 51 inches of snow to Trout Creek, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Trout Creek Rs weather station 3 miles away. The snowiest month is usually January (18.2 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.0 | 5.8 | 17.0 | 18.2 | 6.4 | 3.7 | 0.3 | 0.0 |
Normal snowfall in inches. TALON Pro compares this season's snow at your location with these normals as winter goes on.
Which radars cover Trout Creek?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KMSX (Missoula, MT), about 93 miles southeast. 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 Trout Creek | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KMSX Missoula, MT | 93 mi southeast | 8,600 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KOTX Spokane, WA | 95 mi west | 9,000 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KTFX Great Falls, MT | 197 mi east | 28,500 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 Trout Creek
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 1 tornado within 25 miles of Trout Creek. The strongest was an F0 on July 9, 1978, which touched down about 18 miles south-southeast of town.
Hail: 5 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955; the largest was 1.75-inch hail on August 16, 2006.
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 Trout Creek'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.
Trout Creek radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Trout Creek, MT?
KMSX (Missoula, MT), about 93 miles southeast. KOTX (Spokane, WA) is 95 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Trout Creek?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Trout Creek the lowest scan from KMSX is about 8,600 ft up, so light snow from shallow clouds can be under-shown — check NWS winter alerts too.
Is TALON's radar for Trout Creek 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 Trout Creek, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Thompson Falls, MT radar 20 mi
- Libby, MT radar 38 mi
- Plains, MT radar 42 mi