Turtle Lake, MT Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Turtle Lake, Lake County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Turtle Lake?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged heavy snow or a winter storm on 129 days in the Flathead/Mission Valleys forecast zone and Lake County — the most common reported hazard around Turtle Lake, mostly in February and January. Next come high winds (43 days) and damaging thunderstorm winds (33 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 129 | Mar 2026 | Feb 13, 2025 · 4 deaths |
| High winds | 43 | Mar 2026 | Jul 14, 2025 · 1 death · $26,000 damage |
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 33 | Aug 2024 | Jun 28, 2022 · $50,000 damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 18 | Feb 2025 | Feb 1, 1996 · $1,000 damage |
| Flooding | 8 | Jun 2026 | May 1, 1997 · $912,000 damage |
| Blizzards | 5 | Feb 2014 | Dec 12, 2008 · 1 death · $200,000 damage |
| Ice storms & sleet | 3 | Dec 2015 | Nov 21, 2014 · $30,000 damage |
| Excessive heat | 3 | Jul 2024 | — |
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 Flathead/Mission Valleys forecast zone and Lake County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Turtle Lake get?
A normal year brings about 34 inches of snow to Turtle Lake, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Skq Dam weather station 7.3 miles away. The snowiest month is usually December (9.7 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.7 | 4.7 | 9.7 | 8.4 | 4.2 | 5.0 | 0.9 | 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 Turtle Lake?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KMSX (Missoula, MT), about 44 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 Turtle Lake | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KMSX Missoula, MT | 44 mi south | 3,000 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KTFX Great Falls, MT | 127 mi east | 13,900 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KOTX Spokane, WA | 165 mi west | 21,200 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 Turtle Lake
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 6 tornadoes within 25 miles of Turtle Lake. Most came in July and August. The strongest was an EF0 on July 18, 2007, which passed about 20 miles north of town. The most recent was an EF0 on May 9, 2023, which touched down about 21 miles south of town.
Hail: 31 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 2 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 Turtle 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.
Turtle Lake radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Turtle Lake, MT?
KMSX (Missoula, MT), about 44 miles south. KTFX (Great Falls, MT) is 127 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Turtle Lake?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Turtle Lake the lowest scan from KMSX is about 3,000 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for Turtle 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 Turtle Lake, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Polson, MT radar 3 mi
- Ronan, MT radar 10 mi
- Kalispell, MT radar 39 mi
- Plains, MT radar 40 mi
- Columbia Falls, MT radar 49 mi
- Whitefish, MT radar 54 mi
- Missoula, MT radar 55 mi
- Thompson Falls, MT radar 59 mi