Willow Creek, MT Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Willow Creek, Gallatin County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Willow Creek?
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 Willow Creek, 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 Willow Creek?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KTFX (Great Falls, MT), about 115 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 Willow Creek | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KTFX Great Falls, MT | 115 mi north | 11,900 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KMSX Missoula, MT | 140 mi northwest | 16,300 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KBLX Billings, MT | 147 mi east | 17,500 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 Willow Creek
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 3 tornadoes within 25 miles of Willow Creek. Most came in July and May. The strongest was an F0 on July 2, 1997, which touched down about 16 miles east-northeast of town.
Hail: 26 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 2 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 2.25-inch hail on June 21, 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 Willow 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.
Willow Creek radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Willow Creek, MT?
KTFX (Great Falls, MT), about 115 miles north. KMSX (Missoula, MT) is 140 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Willow Creek?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Willow Creek the lowest scan from KTFX is about 11,900 ft up, so light snow from shallow clouds can be under-shown — check NWS winter alerts too.
Is TALON's radar for Willow 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 Willow Creek, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Three Forks, MT radar 7 mi
- Manhattan, MT radar 16 mi
- Whitehall, MT radar 22 mi
- Belgrade, MT radar 23 mi
- Bozeman, MT radar 30 mi
- Ennis, MT radar 32 mi
- Townsend, MT radar 36 mi
- Boulder, MT radar 37 mi
- Butte-Silver Bow (balance), MT radar 49 mi
- Livingston, MT radar 54 mi