Yaak, MT Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Yaak, Lincoln County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Yaak?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged heavy snow or a winter storm on 175 days in the Kootenai/Cabinet Region forecast zone and Lincoln County — the most common reported hazard around Yaak, mostly in December and January. Next come high winds (27 days) and damaging thunderstorm winds (19 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 175 | Oct 2025 | Nov 18, 1996 · 1 death |
| High winds | 27 | Mar 2026 | Dec 17, 2025 · $610,000 damage |
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 19 | May 2026 | Jul 21, 1997 · $1.5 million damage |
| Flooding | 18 | Dec 2025 | Dec 11, 2025 · $31 million damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 9 | Feb 2025 | — |
| Excessive heat | 4 | Jul 2024 | — |
| Ice storms & sleet | 3 | Dec 2024 | — |
| Avalanches | 2 | Feb 2014 | Feb 22, 2014 · 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 Kootenai/Cabinet Region forecast zone and Lincoln County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
Which radars cover Yaak?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KOTX (Spokane, WA), about 119 miles southwest. 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 Yaak | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KOTX Spokane, WA | 119 mi southwest | 12,600 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KMSX Missoula, MT | 147 mi south-southeast | 17,500 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KTFX Great Falls, MT | 220 mi east-southeast | 34,300 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 Yaak
NOAA has no tornado on record within 25 miles of Yaak since 1950.
Hail: 3 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 1 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 3.00-inch hail on August 11, 1968.
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 Yaak'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.
Yaak radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Yaak, MT?
KOTX (Spokane, WA), about 119 miles southwest. KMSX (Missoula, MT) is 147 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Yaak?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Yaak the lowest scan from KOTX is about 12,600 ft up, so light snow from shallow clouds can be under-shown — check NWS winter alerts too.
Is TALON's radar for Yaak 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 Yaak, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Eureka, MT radar 29 mi
- Libby, MT radar 31 mi