Alert archive / Montana / Flash Flood Warnings in 2026
Flash Flood Warning 13, NWS Billings, MT
NWS Billings, MT issued this flash flood warning at Jul 16, 2026, 7:48 PM MDT for Golden Valley County, Musselshell County, Montana. It was in force for 3 hr. No storm report in the archive falls inside the area while it was in force.
The area
The outline as issued.
The facts
- Issued
- Jul 16, 2026, 7:48 PM MDT (01:48 UTC)
- Expired
- Jul 16, 2026, 10:45 PM MDT
- In force
- 3 hr
- Issued by
- NWS Billings, MT
- Area
- Storm-based polygon
- Flood severity
- None
The radar
The Billings radar (KBLX), 69 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 01:49 UTC, the scan nearest the moment this went out.
Open the radar archive at this moment
The archived warnings, watches and discussions in force at that minute are drawn over the scan, this one among them.
Did it verify
Not verified. The Iowa Environmental Mesonet's Cow found no qualifying storm report inside this flash flood warning while it was in force. That is not proof nothing happened: reports are thin where few people live.
Cow counts a report within 15 km of the polygon while the warning was in force: a tornado for a tornado warning; hail of 1 inch or more, a gust of 58 mph or more or wind damage for a severe thunderstorm warning; a flash flood report for a flash flood warning.
The nearest sounding before it
Glasgow Intl Airport, MT (KGGW), launched 00:00Z, 1.8 hours before the alert went out and 269 km from the middle of its area. This is the routine balloon launch nearest before it, the air the forecaster had in hand, not a measurement taken for the alert.
- Mixed-layer CAPE
- 1429 J/kg
- Mixed-layer CIN
- -20 J/kg
- Mixed-layer LCL
- 1681 m above ground
- 0-6 km bulk shear
- 36 kt
- 0-1 km storm-relative helicity
- 28 m²/s²
- 0-3 km storm-relative helicity
- 65 m²/s²
- Significant tornado parameter
- 0.1
- Supercell composite
- 2.8
The text
As transmitted.
212
WGUS55 KBYZ 170148
FFWBYZ
MTC037-065-170445-
/O.NEW.KBYZ.FF.W.0013.260717T0148Z-260717T0445Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Flash Flood Warning
National Weather Service Billings MT
748 PM MDT Thu Jul 16 2026
The National Weather Service in Billings has issued a
* Flash Flood Warning for...
East Central Golden Valley County in central Montana...
West Central Musselshell County in central Montana...
* Until 1045 PM MDT.
* At 748 PM MDT, Doppler radar indicated thunderstorms producing
heavy rain over Currant Creek and Merrills Spring Creek. Between 1
and 2 inches of rain have fallen. Additional rainfall amounts up to
1 inch are possible in the warned area. Flash flooding is ongoing
or expected to begin shortly.
HAZARD...Flash flooding caused by slow moving thunderstorms.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Flash flooding of small creeks, urban areas, highways,
streets and underpasses as well as other poor drainage and
low-lying areas.
* Some locations that will experience flash flooding include...
Mainly rural areas of East Central Golden Valley and West Central
Musselshell Counties, especially along Currant Creek and Merrills
Spring Creek.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Turn around, don't drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood
deaths occur in vehicles. Do not drive on or attempt to cross flooded
roads, find an alternate route. Roads and driveways may be damaged or
washed out in places.
Please report observed flooding to local emergency officials and
request they pass the information to the National Weather Service in
Billings.
&&
LAT...LON 4635 10894 4635 10909 4640 10916 4639 10916
4646 10922 4646 10920 4649 10919 4651 10912
4650 10910 4651 10910 4647 10906 4648 10905
4641 10893 4641 10885 4643 10877 4639 10864
4635 10867 4637 10870 4637 10879 4636 10879
FLASH FLOOD...RADAR INDICATED
$$
Lester2 follow-up statements
356
WGUS75 KBYZ 170255
FFSBYZ
Flash Flood Statement
National Weather Service Billings MT
855 PM MDT Thu Jul 16 2026
MTC037-065-170445-
/O.CON.KBYZ.FF.W.0013.000000T0000Z-260717T0445Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
Golden Valley MT-Musselshell MT-
855 PM MDT Thu Jul 16 2026
...FLASH FLOOD WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 1045 PM MDT THIS
EVENING FOR EAST CENTRAL GOLDEN VALLEY AND WEST CENTRAL MUSSELSHELL
COUNTIES...
At 855 PM MDT, Thunderstorms produced heavy rain along Currant Creek
and Merrills Spring Creek. Between 1 and 3 inches of rain have
fallen. Flash flooding is ongoing or expected to begin shortly.
HAZARD...Flash flooding caused by thunderstorms.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Flash flooding of small creeks, urban areas, highways,
streets and underpasses as well as other poor drainage and
low-lying areas.
Some locations that will experience flash flooding include...
Mainly rural areas of East Central Golden Valley and West Central
Musselshell Counties, especially along Currant Creek and Merrills
Spring Creek, downstream to the confluence with the Musselshell
River.
Rain has become lighter, but up to a half inch of additional rain is
expected.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Turn around, don't drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood
deaths occur in vehicles. Do not drive on or attempt to cross flooded
roads, find an alternate route. Roads and driveways may be damaged or
washed out in places.
Please report observed flooding to local emergency officials and
request they pass the information to the National Weather Service in
Billings.
&&
LAT...LON 4635 10894 4635 10909 4640 10916 4639 10916
4646 10922 4646 10920 4649 10919 4651 10912
4650 10910 4651 10910 4647 10906 4648 10905
4641 10893 4641 10885 4643 10877 4639 10864
4635 10867 4637 10870 4637 10879 4636 10879
FLASH FLOOD...RADAR INDICATED
$$
Lester286
WGUS75 KBYZ 170444
FFSBYZ
Flash Flood Statement
National Weather Service Billings MT
1044 PM MDT Thu Jul 16 2026
MTC037-065-170454-
/O.EXP.KBYZ.FF.W.0013.000000T0000Z-260717T0445Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
Golden Valley MT-Musselshell MT-
1044 PM MDT Thu Jul 16 2026
...FLASH FLOOD WARNING WILL EXPIRE AT 1045 PM MDT THIS EVENING FOR
EAST CENTRAL GOLDEN VALLEY AND WEST CENTRAL MUSSELSHELL COUNTIES...
The heavy rain has ended. However, smaller streams may be running out
of their banks yet and fields may remain flooded. People across the
area should still use caution. Do not attempt to cross water covered
roads at night.
&&
LAT...LON 4635 10894 4635 10909 4640 10916 4639 10916
4646 10922 4646 10920 4649 10919 4651 10912
4650 10910 4651 10910 4647 10906 4648 10905
4641 10893 4641 10885 4643 10877 4639 10864
4635 10867 4637 10870 4637 10879 4636 10879
$$
TesarWhat forecasters said that day
The local office's own words before this flash flood warning went out, as it sent them, from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service text.
NWS Billings, MT wrote its last area forecast discussion before this flash flood warning went out at Jul 16, 2:26 PM MDT, 5 hours 22 minutes earlier. Its key messages:
- Isolated to scattered showers and thunderstorms today and Friday. A few thunderstorms may become strong to severe over central and western Montana. Heavy rain, strong winds, and hail are the main threats. The severe weather risk is greatest today.
- Slow moving thunderstorms capable of producing heavy rain may lead to localized flooding, or even flash flooding, today, Friday, and Saturday. Marginal Risk (Level 1/4) of flash flooding over portions of central and western Montana and northern Wyoming.
- Daily chance of showers and thunderstorms this weekend into next week with high temperatures in the 80s and 90s, warmest this weekend.
Area forecast discussion, Jul 16, 2:26 PM MDT, 5 hours 22 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Billings MT
226 PM MDT Thu Jul 16 2026
.KEY MESSAGES...
- Isolated to scattered showers and thunderstorms today and
Friday. A few thunderstorms may become strong to severe over
central and western Montana. Heavy rain, strong winds, and hail
are the main threats. The severe weather risk is greatest today.
- Slow moving thunderstorms capable of producing heavy rain may
lead to localized flooding, or even flash flooding, today,
Friday, and Saturday. Marginal Risk (Level 1/4) of flash
flooding over portions of central and western Montana and
northern Wyoming.
- Daily chance of showers and thunderstorms this weekend into
next week with high temperatures in the 80s and 90s, warmest
this weekend.
&&
.DISCUSSION...
Today through Wednesday...
An upper level ridge, with moisture and occasional shortwave
disturbances rounding the ridge, will continue to dominate our
weather pattern into next week. With this, temperatures near to
above normal in the 80s and 90s are forecast, along with a daily
chance of showers and thunderstorms over at least some of the area
each day.
For today, isolated to scattered showers and thunderstorms are
forecast, first over the mountains and foothills this afternoon
before spreading over the plains this evening. This forecast delay
over the plains is due to a capping inversion that looks to limit
convection over the plains initially. While the showers and
thunderstorms will decrease in coverage tonight, a weak low level
jet may allow showers and weak thunderstorms to continue over
eastern Montana tonight into Friday morning, though the chance of
precipitation remains low (around a 15 percent chance). With good
instability and modest wind shear, a few thunderstorms may become
strong to severe over central and western Montana this afternoon
and evening. While the instability is also high over eastern
Montana, wind shear is much less, limiting the ability for
thunderstorms to organize and become strong to severe. Currently,
the Storm Prediction Center has a Marginal Risk (Level 1/5) of
severe thunderstorms over much central and western Montana, with
a small pocket of Slight Risk (Level 2/5) over western Montana.
The main threats are heavy rain, strong wind gusts, and hail. The
hail threat is greatest over western Montana where the wind shear
is greatest. The Weather Prediction Center also has a Marginal
Risk (Level 1/4) of excessive rainfall leading to flash flooding
today over south- central Montana and north-central/western
Wyoming due to slow moving thunderstorms.
Friday, isolated to scattered showers and thunderstorms are
forecast once again, with a low chance of precipitation over
eastern Montana in the morning and a low to medium chance of
precipitation across much of the area in the afternoon and
evening. A low level jet may also once again allow showers and
weak thunderstorms to linger over eastern Montana into the night,
but the chance remains low. With good instability, but limited
shear, the main risk with any thunderstorm Friday afternoon and
evening is heavy rain as thunderstorms will be slow moving. With
this, the Weather Prediction Center has a Marginal Risk (Level
1/4) of excessive rainfall leading to flash flooding over south-
central and western Montana and north-western Wyoming. Over
western Montana where wind shear looks to be a bit stronger, there
is also a Marginal Risk (Level 1/5) for severe thunderstorms.
East of this area over south-central/eastern Montana and northern
Wyoming, there is a risk of thunderstorms, but they are expected
to remain non-severe with the limited wind shear.
While a daily chance of precipitation remains in the forecast
Saturday into next week, Sunday into Monday looks to be slightly
drier days behind a cold front passage as atmospheric moisture
content decreases back near normal, compared to the above normal
values we have been seeing. This will limit precipitation mainly
to the mountains and foothills these days. The return of above
normal atmospheric moisture across much of the area Tuesday into
the second half of the week will then resume at least a daily
chance of precipitation across much of the area for mid-week. LA
.AVIATION...
Look for another round of scattered thunderstorms this afternoon
and evening. Storms will develop over the mountains as early as
18z and track eastward over the plains in the late
afternoon/evening. Local MVFR/IFR in heavy rain and erratic wind
gusts of 25-45kts can be expected with today's storms.
TS Potential Times:
KLVM: 20Z-02Z
KBIL: 23Z-06Z
KSHR: 19Z-05Z
JKL/PM
&&
.PRELIMINARY POINT TEMP/POPS...
Fri Sat Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu
-----------------------------------------------------------
BIL 065/095 066/096 066/097 065/092 065/089 064/090 064/089
41/B 31/U 41/U 10/U 21/B 32/T 42/T
LVM 057/092 057/094 057/094 057/091 057/086 056/087 056/088
23/T 42/T 51/U 11/U 34/T 44/T 54/T
HDN 064/097 065/097 065/098 063/094 063/090 063/092 062/092
41/B 31/U 32/T 20/U 31/B 32/T 42/T
MLS 067/096 069/099 068/099 066/094 063/088 063/091 064/092
12/T 32/T 21/U 20/U 11/B 32/W 22/T
4BQ 067/096 069/099 068/097 065/093 063/087 063/089 063/089
22/W 22/T 32/T 21/U 22/W 53/T 32/T
BHK 063/095 063/095 064/098 062/093 058/085 058/087 059/090
12/W 34/T 41/U 10/U 10/B 33/T 22/T
SHR 060/094 061/095 061/094 059/092 058/088 058/088 058/087
33/T 23/T 45/T 23/T 35/T 56/T 44/T
&&
.BYZ WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
MT...None.
WY...None.
&&
weather.gov/billingsIn the hours before
Special weather statement, Jul 16, 6:18 PM MDT, 1 hour 30 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Billings MT
618 PM MDT Thu Jul 16 2026
MTZ063-228-170100-
Southern Wheatland MT-Judith Gap MT-
618 PM MDT Thu Jul 16 2026
...AN AREA OF STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL IMPACT CENTRAL WHEATLAND
COUNTY UNTIL 7 PM MDT...
At 618 PM MDT, Doppler radar was tracking an area of strong
thunderstorms over Harlowton, moving northeast at 15 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 50 mph and half inch size hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects. Minor damage to outdoor objects is
possible.
Locations impacted include...
Harlowton.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Monitor the weather situation closely and be alert for threatening
weather conditions.
Torrential rainfall is also occurring with this storm and may lead to
flash flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded roadways.
&&
LAT...LON 4654 10997 4665 10993 4658 10960 4626 10964
4630 10982 4631 10982 4631 10989 4634 11003
TIME...MOT...LOC 0018Z 214DEG 12KT 4642 10983
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.50 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH
MatosSpecial weather statement, Jul 16, 6:21 PM MDT, 1 hour 27 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Billings MT
621 PM MDT Thu Jul 16 2026
MTZ037-170115-
Carter MT-
621 PM MDT Thu Jul 16 2026
...AN AREA OF STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL IMPACT SOUTHWESTERN CARTER
COUNTY UNTIL 715 PM MDT...
At 621 PM MDT, Doppler radar was tracking an area of strong
thunderstorms 22 miles west of Alzada, or 38 miles southeast of
Broadus, moving north at 25 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 50 mph and half inch size hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects. Minor damage to outdoor objects is
possible.
Locations impacted include...
Hammond.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Monitor the weather situation closely and be alert for threatening
weather conditions.
Torrential rainfall is also occurring with this storm and may lead to
flash flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded roadways.
&&
LAT...LON 4500 10501 4535 10491 4529 10436 4500 10444
TIME...MOT...LOC 0021Z 198DEG 21KT 4506 10486
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.50 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH
MatosSpecial weather statement, Jul 16, 7:08 PM MDT, 40 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Billings MT
708 PM MDT Thu Jul 16 2026
MTZ063-228-170200-
Southern Wheatland MT-Judith Gap MT-
708 PM MDT Thu Jul 16 2026
...AN AREA OF STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL IMPACT EAST CENTRAL WHEATLAND
COUNTY UNTIL 8 PM MDT...
At 708 PM MDT, Doppler radar was tracking an area of strong
thunderstorms 8 miles east of Harlowton, moving east at 15 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 50 mph and half inch size hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects. Minor damage to outdoor objects is
possible.
Locations impacted include...
Mainly rural areas of East Central Wheatland County.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Monitor the weather situation closely and be alert for threatening
weather conditions.
Torrential rainfall is also occurring with this storm and may lead to
flash flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded roadways.
&&
LAT...LON 4654 10976 4661 10953 4642 10945 4637 10973
TIME...MOT...LOC 0108Z 253DEG 11KT 4645 10966
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.50 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH
MatosLocal storm report, Jul 16, 7:33 PM MDT, 15 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Billings MT
733 PM MDT Thu Jul 16 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0620 PM Hail 9 NE Hedgesville 46.53N 109.34W
07/16/2026 M1.00 Inch Golden Valley MT CO-OP Observer
0710 PM Tstm Wnd Gst 7 ESE Harlowton 46.41N 109.70W
07/16/2026 M73 MPH Wheatland MT Mesonet
0715 PM Tstm Wnd Gst 10 NNW Lavina 46.42N 109.06W
07/16/2026 E70 MPH Golden Valley MT Trained Spotter
&&Local storm report, Jul 16, 7:35 PM MDT, 13 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Billings MT
735 PM MDT Thu Jul 16 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0725 PM Tstm Wnd Gst 7 N Lavina 46.40N 108.95W
07/16/2026 M66 MPH Golden Valley MT Mesonet
&&Special weather statement, Jul 16, 7:43 PM MDT, 5 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Billings MT
743 PM MDT Thu Jul 16 2026
MTZ034-042-141-228-170215-
Southern Wheatland MT-Golden Valley MT-Northern Stillwater MT-
Northern Sweet Grass MT-
743 PM MDT Thu Jul 16 2026
...AN AREA OF STRONG THUNDERSTORMS WILL IMPACT SOUTHWESTERN GOLDEN
VALLEY...SOUTHEASTERN WHEATLAND...NORTHEASTERN SWEET GRASS AND
NORTHERN STILLWATER COUNTIES UNTIL 815 PM MDT...
At 743 PM MDT, Doppler radar was tracking an area of strong
thunderstorms 19 miles southwest of Deadmans Basin Reservoir, or 24
miles southeast of Harlowton, moving northeast at 15 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts of 50 to 55 mph and penny size hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects. Minor damage to outdoor objects is
possible.
Locations impacted include...
Shawmut.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Monitor the weather situation closely and be alert for threatening
weather conditions.
Torrential rainfall is also occurring with this storm and may lead to
flash flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded roadways.
&&
LAT...LON 4622 10971 4638 10948 4613 10915 4596 10955
4605 10974 4617 10978
TIME...MOT...LOC 0142Z 231DEG 11KT 4611 10963
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.75 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 TO 55 MPH
MatosThe office that day
Everything else NWS Billings, MT issued on the same UTC day.
| Issued | Product | Office | Counties | Lasted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 16, 6:18 PM MDT | Special Weather Statement | BYZ | Wheatland | 42 min |
| Jul 16, 6:21 PM MDT | Special Weather Statement | BYZ | Carter | 54 min |
| Jul 16, 6:38 PM MDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | BYZ | Golden Valley, Wheatland | 67 min |
| Jul 16, 6:40 PM MDT | Areal Flood Advisory | BYZ | Golden Valley, Wheatland | 3 hr |
| Jul 16, 6:43 PM MDT | Areal Flood Advisory | BYZ | Wheatland | 3 hr |
| Jul 16, 6:50 PM MDT | Areal Flood Advisory | BYZ | Carter | 3 hr |
| Jul 16, 7:08 PM MDT | Special Weather Statement | BYZ | Wheatland | 52 min |
| Jul 16, 7:28 PM MDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | BYZ | Golden Valley, Musselshell | 47 min |
| Jul 16, 7:43 PM MDT | Special Weather Statement | BYZ | Golden Valley | 32 min |
| Jul 16, 7:56 PM MDT | Special Weather Statement | BYZ | Musselshell | 64 min |
| Jul 16, 8:07 PM MDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | BYZ | Golden Valley, Musselshell | 53 min |
| Jul 16, 8:22 PM MDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | BYZ | Musselshell | 53 min |
| Jul 16, 8:23 PM MDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | BYZ | Golden Valley, Stillwater, Sweet Grass | 37 min |
| Jul 16, 8:33 PM MDT | Special Weather Statement | BYZ | Rosebud, Treasure | 57 min |
| Jul 16, 8:39 PM MDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | BYZ | Musselshell | 51 min |
| Jul 16, 8:39 PM MDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | BYZ | Stillwater, Yellowstone | 66 min |
| Jul 16, 8:43 PM MDT | Areal Flood Advisory | BYZ | Musselshell, Rosebud, Treasure, Yellowstone | 3 hr |
| Jul 16, 9:05 PM MDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | BYZ | Yellowstone | 70 min |
| Jul 16, 9:16 PM MDT | Areal Flood Advisory | BYZ | Yellowstone | 71 min |
| Jul 16, 9:50 PM MDT | Special Weather Statement | BYZ | Treasure | 40 min |
| Jul 16, 10:24 PM MDT | Areal Flood Advisory | BYZ | Rosebud, Treasure, Yellowstone | 4 hr |
| Jul 16, 10:46 PM MDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | BYZ | Rosebud | 44 min |
| Jul 16, 11:38 PM MDT | Special Weather Statement | BYZ | Rosebud | 52 min |
| Jul 17, 12:55 AM MDT | Areal Flood Advisory | BYZ | Rosebud | 3 hr |
| Jul 17, 2:16 PM MDT | Flash Flood Warning | BYZ | Park, Sweet Grass | 3 hr |
| Jul 17, 4:50 PM MDT | Special Weather Statement | BYZ | Sweet Grass | 55 min |
| Jul 17, 5:52 PM MDT | Special Weather Statement | BYZ | Yellowstone | 38 min |
Nearby
Flash Flood Warnings in Montana, 2026Every flash flood warning in 2026
Sources
The product and its follow-ups from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service and Storm Prediction Center text; the sounding from the Mesonet's radiosonde archive; radar from the NEXRAD Level II archive.