Shell, WY Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for Shell, Big Horn County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits Shell?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged damaging thunderstorm winds on 55 days in the North Bighorn Basin forecast zone and Big Horn County — the most common reported hazard around Shell, mostly in July and June. Next come high winds (44 days) and heavy snow & winter storms (36 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damaging thunderstorm winds | 55 | Aug 2025 | May 27, 2018 · $75,000 damage |
| High winds | 44 | Apr 2026 | Nov 24, 1999 · 1 death |
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 36 | Feb 2025 | Oct 10, 2008 · 2 deaths |
| Flooding | 16 | Jun 2021 | Jun 24, 2011 · $540,000 damage |
| Extreme cold & wind chill | 11 | Jan 2024 | — |
| Flash flooding | 10 | Jul 2024 | Jun 13, 1997 · $91,000 damage |
| Excessive heat | 6 | Mar 2026 | — |
| Blizzards | 2 | Dec 2008 | — |
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 North Bighorn Basin forecast zone and Big Horn County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does Shell get?
A normal year brings about 28 inches of snow to Shell, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Shell weather station in town. The snowiest month is usually January (7.3 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.9 | 3.9 | 5.6 | 7.3 | 6.4 | 2.7 | 1.4 | 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 Shell?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KBLX (Billings, MT), about 100 miles north-northwest. 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 Shell | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KBLX Billings, MT | 100 mi north-northwest | 9,500 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KRIW Riverton, WY | 107 mi south-southwest | 10,700 ft | Limited — the beam overshoots the lowest part of storms |
| KUDX Rapid City, SD | 247 mi east | 41,800 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 Shell
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 20 tornadoes within 25 miles of Shell, 6 of them EF2/F2 or stronger. Most came in June and July. The strongest was an F3 on August 2, 1985, which touched down about 22 miles north-northwest of town. The most recent was an EF0 on August 12, 2010, which touched down about 24 miles west-northwest of town.
Hail: 14 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 3 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 2.50-inch hail on August 7, 2009.
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 Shell'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.
Shell radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to Shell, WY?
KBLX (Billings, MT), about 100 miles north-northwest. KRIW (Riverton, WY) is 107 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in Shell?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over Shell the lowest scan from KBLX is about 9,500 ft up, so light snow from shallow clouds can be under-shown — check NWS winter alerts too.
Is TALON's radar for Shell 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 Shell, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
Radar for nearby towns
- Greybull, WY radar 14 mi
- Basin, WY radar 17 mi
- Lovell, WY radar 36 mi
- Worland, WY radar 37 mi
- Ranchester, WY radar 40 mi
- Sheridan, WY radar 44 mi
- Powell, WY radar 50 mi
- Buffalo, WY radar 54 mi