Alert archive / Montana / Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in 2026

Severe Thunderstorm Warning 21, NWS Billings, MT

June 2, 2026Carter County, Montana

NWS Billings, MT issued this severe thunderstorm warning at Jun 2, 2026, 8:37 PM MDT for Carter County, Montana. It was in force for 53 min. No storm report in the archive falls inside the area while it was in force.

The area

The outline as issued.

The facts

Issued
Jun 2, 2026, 8:37 PM MDT (02:37 UTC)
Expired
Jun 2, 2026, 9:30 PM MDT
In force
53 min
Issued by
NWS Billings, MT
Area
Storm-based polygon
Hail
1.0 in
Wind
60.0 mph

County Carter County, MT

The radar

The Rapid City radar (KUDX), 221 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 02:36 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 severe thunderstorm 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

Rapid City, SD (KUNR), launched 00:00Z, 2.6 hours before the alert went out and 223 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.

Skew-T log-pSkew-T log-p diagram, Rapid City, SD at 00:00Z on 2026-06-03Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 161 joules per kilogram.LCLLFCEL10008507005003002001001 km2 km3 km6 km9 km12 km15 km-30°-20°-10°0°10°20°30°40°
Temperature in red, dew point in green, the mixed-layer parcel dashed.
HodographHodograph, Rapid City, SD at 00:00Z on 2026-06-03The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 70 square meters per square second.19395878Sfc1 km3 km6 km9 kmRMLM
The wind turning with height, colored by layer: ground to 1 km, 1 to 3 km, 3 to 6 km, 6 to 10 km.
Mixed-layer CAPE
161 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
-261 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL
1841 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
37 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
70 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
132 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.0
Supercell composite
0.1

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted.

846 
WUUS55 KBYZ 030237
SVRBYZ
MTC011-030330-
/O.NEW.KBYZ.SV.W.0021.260603T0237Z-260603T0330Z/

BULLETIN - IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
National Weather Service Billings MT
837 PM MDT Tue Jun 2 2026

The National Weather Service in Billings has issued a

* Severe Thunderstorm Warning for...
  Northwestern Carter County in southeastern Montana...

* Until 930 PM MDT.

* At 837 PM MDT, a severe thunderstorm was located 11 miles west of
  Ridgeway, or 26 miles south of Ekalaka, moving northeast at 25 mph.

  HAZARD...60 mph wind gusts and quarter size hail.

  SOURCE...Radar indicated.

  IMPACT...Hail damage to vehicles is expected. Expect wind damage to
           roofs, siding, and trees.

* Locations impacted include...
  Belltower.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Seek shelter inside a well-built structure and stay away from
windows. This storm is capable of producing damaging winds and large
hail.

&&

LAT...LON 4544 10467 4551 10498 4596 10483 4573 10424
TIME...MOT...LOC 0236Z 217DEG 23KT 4552 10472

HAIL THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...1.00 IN
WIND THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX WIND GUST...60 MPH

$$

Stetzer
4 follow-up statements
962 
WWUS55 KBYZ 030254
SVSBYZ

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Billings MT
854 PM MDT Tue Jun 2 2026

MTC011-030330-
/O.CON.KBYZ.SV.W.0021.000000T0000Z-260603T0330Z/
Carter MT-
854 PM MDT Tue Jun 2 2026

...SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 930 PM MDT FOR
CENTRAL CARTER COUNTY...

At 854 PM MDT, a severe thunderstorm was located 11 miles northwest
of Ridgeway, or 19 miles south of Ekalaka, moving northeast at 25
mph.

HAZARD...Two inch hail and 60 mph wind gusts.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...People and animals outdoors will be injured. Expect hail
         damage to roofs, siding, windows, and vehicles. Expect wind
         damage to roofs, siding, and trees.

Locations impacted include...
  Belltower.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Anyone outdoors should move to shelter inside a well-built structure
and stay away from windows. This storm is capable of producing
dangerous hail and damaging winds.

&&

LAT...LON 4549 10460 4563 10491 4596 10483 4573 10424
TIME...MOT...LOC 0237Z 217DEG 23KT 4553 10472

THUNDERSTORM DAMAGE THREAT...CONSIDERABLE
HAIL THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...2.00 IN
WIND THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX WIND GUST...60 MPH

$$

Stetzer
726 
WWUS55 KBYZ 030312
SVSBYZ

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Billings MT
912 PM MDT Tue Jun 2 2026

MTC011-030330-
/O.CON.KBYZ.SV.W.0021.000000T0000Z-260603T0330Z/
Carter MT-
912 PM MDT Tue Jun 2 2026

...SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 930 PM MDT FOR
NORTHWESTERN CARTER COUNTY...

At 912 PM MDT, a severe thunderstorm was located 12 miles south of
Ekalaka, moving northeast at 25 mph.

HAZARD...60 mph wind gusts and quarter size hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Hail damage to vehicles is expected. Expect wind damage to
         roofs, siding, and trees.

Locations impacted include...
  Mainly rural areas of Northwestern Carter County.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Seek shelter inside a well-built structure and stay away from
windows. This storm is capable of producing damaging winds and large
hail.

&&

LAT...LON 4565 10467 4574 10488 4563 10491 4583 10486
      4596 10483 4581 10444
TIME...MOT...LOC 0254Z 217DEG 23KT 4562 10462

HAIL THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...1.00 IN
WIND THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX WIND GUST...60 MPH

$$

Stetzer
922 
WWUS55 KBYZ 030314
SVSBYZ

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Billings MT
914 PM MDT Tue Jun 2 2026

MTC011-030330-
/O.CON.KBYZ.SV.W.0021.000000T0000Z-260603T0330Z/
Carter MT-
914 PM MDT Tue Jun 2 2026

...SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 930 PM MDT FOR
NORTHWESTERN CARTER COUNTY...

At 914 PM MDT, a severe thunderstorm was located 12 miles south of
Ekalaka, moving northeast at 25 mph.

HAZARD...60 mph wind gusts and quarter size hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Hail damage to vehicles is expected. Expect wind damage to
         roofs, siding, and trees.

Locations impacted include...
  Mainly rural areas of Northwestern Carter County.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Seek shelter inside a well-built structure and stay away from
windows. This storm is capable of producing damaging winds and large
hail.

&&

LAT...LON 4565 10467 4574 10488 4596 10483 4581 10444
TIME...MOT...LOC 0312Z 217DEG 23KT 4572 10452

HAIL THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...1.00 IN
WIND THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX WIND GUST...60 MPH

$$

Stetzer
403 
WWUS55 KBYZ 030325
SVSBYZ

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Billings MT
925 PM MDT Tue Jun 2 2026

MTC011-030335-
/O.EXP.KBYZ.SV.W.0021.000000T0000Z-260603T0330Z/
Carter MT-
925 PM MDT Tue Jun 2 2026

...SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING WILL EXPIRE AT 930 PM MDT FOR
NORTHWESTERN CARTER COUNTY...

The Severe Thunderstorm Warning that was previously in effect has
been reissued for Carter County and is in effect until 1030 PM MDT.
Please refer to that bulletin for the latest severe weather
information.

&&

LAT...LON 4565 10467 4574 10488 4596 10483 4581 10444
TIME...MOT...LOC 0314Z 217DEG 23KT 4572 10451

$$

Stetzer

What forecasters said that day

The local office's own words before this severe thunderstorm 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 severe thunderstorm warning went out at Jun 2, 1:40 PM MDT, 6 hours 57 minutes earlier. Its key messages:

  • Chance of showers and thunderstorms through tonight. A few thunderstorms could become severe, mainly over far eastern Montana.
  • After a break on Wednesday, the chance of thunderstorm returns Thursday. A few thunderstorms could become severe, mainly over eastern Montana.
  • Gradual warming trend through the end of the work week. Highs reaching the 90s by Saturday.
  • More thunderstorm chances for the weekend, cold front by Sunday.
Area forecast discussion, Jun 2, 1:40 PM MDT, 6 hours 57 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Billings MT
140 PM MDT Tue Jun 2 2026

.KEY MESSAGES...

- Chance of showers and thunderstorms through tonight. A few
  thunderstorms could become severe, mainly over far eastern
  Montana.

- After a break on Wednesday, the chance of thunderstorm returns
  Thursday. A few thunderstorms could become severe, mainly over
  eastern Montana.

- Gradual warming trend through the end of the work week. Highs reaching
  the 90s by Saturday.

- More thunderstorm chances for the weekend, cold front by Sunday.

&&

.DISCUSSION...

Next 7 days (Through next Monday)...

Short term forecast continues to be dominated by the broad upper
low centered over NC Montana this morning. Energy wrapping around
this system continues to produce widespread showers over a good
portion of the Treasure state, while the dynamics associated with
the low pull plains moisture into the area from the southeast and
provide plenty of shear to support thunderstorm activity over far
eastern portions of the state. This system is forecast to pivot
slowly northward over the next 24 hours and finally shifting
northeast of the forecast area by Wednesday night. Will continue
to see unsettled conditions with mainly scattered
afternoon/evening showers over the western half of the forecast
area, with thunderstorms mainly confined to the eastern half today
and tomorrow. There is a brief period of concern for strong to
severe storms over the far eastern counties (Fallon/Carter) from
around 2pm through 6pm. Storms that do form could quickly become
severe in this area but will fairly quickly shift east into the
Dakotas. HREF is also showing a small cluster of storms developing
early evening over the Bighorn mountains, moving northeast across
SE Montana through late tonight along an axis of favorable mid
level instability. Models area hinting at the potential for a
strong storm or two with this cluster through the evening so
something we will be keeping an eye on.

Area gets on the downslope northwesterly wind side of the slowly
exiting upper low tomorrow. This will bring a quieter day
convection wise, but still be looking at isolated to scattered
showers in the afternoon with residual surface moisture combining
with instability from the lower heights aloft. Can't rule out a
weak thunderstorm mixed in but strong storms are not expected.

Upper low moves well away from the area by Thursday, but its
residual impacts continue. Southeasterly low level flow increases
Wednesday night and continues gusty at times through Thursday.
This flow will advect in plenty of low level plains moisture.
Convergence along this low level moisture advection axis along
with a weak disturbance crossing aloft will provide the forcing
for potentially strong afternoon and evening convection for areas
from Billings east into the Dakotas. SPC currently has a slight
risk for SE portions of the forecast area for Thursday.

Upper low and its influences are finally out of our forecast by
Friday with ridging building over the area. A strong Pacific storm
system is taking shape for the PacNW heading into the weekend and
our area will come under increasing southwest flow aloft with
period of energy pushing over the area on this flow. This pattern
is a favorable one for shower/thunderstorm development with the
potential to move low level plains moisture deep into our area
under a strongly sheared atmosphere. A cold front is forecast
Saturday night into Sunday which will provide additional focus
for convective development. Something to keep in mind if you have
outdoor plans this weekend.

Temperature forecast for the week trends from the 70s Wednesday
and Thursday to potentially the mid 90s for Saturday ahead of the
Saturday night cold front. Chambers

.AVIATION...

VFR conditions will prevail through this evening with isolated to
scattered convection developing early afternoon, continuing into
the late night hours. Strong to severe storms are possible over
far SE Montana from around 20z-00z today, with activity developing
fast then quickly moving east into the Dakotas. All forms of
severe weather are possible with these SE Montana storms. A cold
front moves through the area late evening into the overnight
hours, with isolated showers possible along it. Local MVFR to IFR
conditions can be expected near any precipitation areas. Upslope
fog is also possible along the southern half of the forecast area
as winds turn northerly overnight into tomorrow morning. Local
IFR/MVFR conditions can be expected with any fog development.
Chambers

&&

.PRELIMINARY POINT TEMP/POPS...

    Wed     Thu     Fri     Sat     Sun     Mon     Tue
-----------------------------------------------------------
BIL 048/076 052/077 051/084 055/092 056/077 050/083 055/092
    21/U    15/T    40/U    01/U    12/T    21/B    21/U
LVM 041/077 046/073 044/083 048/087 047/072 042/078 047/087
    11/U    27/T    10/U    01/U    24/T    32/T    12/T
HDN 045/077 049/079 049/084 053/093 054/077 048/083 053/093
    21/U    15/T    40/U    00/U    12/T    31/B    21/U
MLS 048/074 048/078 051/081 056/092 058/078 051/081 056/093
    41/B    15/T    51/U    00/U    21/B    31/B    31/U
4BQ 049/073 050/078 051/080 055/093 059/079 052/081 057/092
    50/U    27/T    61/U    00/U    11/B    31/B    21/U
BHK 046/072 045/076 048/078 051/088 056/080 049/080 053/089
    71/B    05/T    72/W    00/N    11/B    41/B    21/B
SHR 043/075 045/077 045/081 048/091 050/077 046/081 049/091
    31/U    16/T    41/U    00/U    12/T    53/T    21/U

&&

.BYZ WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
MT...None.
WY...None.

&&

weather.gov/billings

In the hours before

Local storm report, Jun 2, 8:04 PM MDT, 33 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Billings MT
804 PM MDT Tue Jun 2 2026

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0740 PM     Hail             9 SE Webster            45.97N 104.10W
06/02/2026  M3.00 Inch       Fallon             MT   Public

&&

EA

The office that day

Everything else NWS Billings, MT issued on the same UTC day.

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Jun 2, 6:24 PM MDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBYZCarter33 min
Jun 2, 7:06 PM MDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBYZCarter, Fallon39 min
Jun 2, 7:29 PM MDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBYZCarter61 min
Jun 2, 7:49 PM MDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBYZCarter, Powder River56 min
Jun 2, 8:00 PM MDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBYZCarter46 min
Jun 2, 9:24 PM MDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningBYZCarter, Fallon38 min
Jun 2, 11:17 PM MDTSpecial Weather StatementBYZCuster58 min

Nearby

Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in Montana, 2026Every severe thunderstorm 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.