Alert archive / Idaho / Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in 2026

Severe Thunderstorm Warning 2, NWS Missoula, MT

May 28, 2026Idaho County, Idaho

NWS Missoula, MT issued this severe thunderstorm warning at May 28, 2026, 3:45 PM PDT for Idaho County, Idaho. It was in force for 33 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: May 28, 2026, 3:45 PM PDT (22:45 UTC)
Expired: May 28, 2026, 4:18 PM PDT
In force: 33 min
Issued by: NWS Missoula, MT
Area: Storm-based polygon
Damage threat: Considerable
Hail: 2.0 in
Wind: 60.0 mph

County Idaho County, ID

The radar

The Pendleton radar (KPDT), 193 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 22:46 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 watch it was issued in

The SPC watch in force over the same counties when this warning went out.

Issued	Product	Office	Lasted
May 28, 3:21 PM PDT	Severe Thunderstorm Watch	SPC	9 hr

The text

As transmitted.

115 
WUUS55 KMSO 282245
SVRMSO
IDC049-282330-
/O.NEW.KMSO.SV.W.0002.260528T2245Z-260528T2330Z/

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
National Weather Service Missoula MT
445 PM MDT Thu May 28 2026

The National Weather Service in Missoula has issued a

* Severe Thunderstorm Warning for...
  West Central Idaho County in central Idaho...

* Until 530 PM MDT /430 PM PDT/.

* At 445 PM MDT /345 PM PDT/, a severe thunderstorm was located 10
  miles northwest of White Bird, or 13 miles west of Grangeville,
  moving north 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...
  Cottonwood, Ferdinand and Keuterville.

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.

Torrential rainfall is also occurring with this storm and may lead to
flash flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded roadways.

&&

LAT...LON 4600 11626 4597 11658 4603 11661 4603 11658
      4600 11654 4600 11653 4602 11653 4603 11652
      4613 11651 4612 11648 4614 11648 4620 11645
      4620 11642 4618 11637 4618 11633 4617 11630
      4617 11626 4616 11621
TIME...MOT...LOC 2245Z 182DEG 23KT 4589 11639

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

$$

2 follow-up statements

647 
WWUS55 KMSO 282309
SVSMSO

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Missoula MT
509 PM MDT Thu May 28 2026

IDC049-282330-
/O.CON.KMSO.SV.W.0002.000000T0000Z-260528T2330Z/
Idaho ID-
509 PM MDT Thu May 28 2026 /409 PM PDT Thu May 28 2026/

...SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 530 PM MDT
/430 PM PDT/ FOR NORTHWESTERN IDAHO COUNTY...

At 509 PM MDT /409 PM PDT/, a severe thunderstorm was located 22
miles northwest of White Bird, or 21 miles northwest of Grangeville,
moving north at 30 mph.

HAZARD...60 mph wind gusts and half dollar size hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

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

Locations impacted include...
  Ferdinand and Keuterville.

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.

Torrential rainfall is also occurring with this storm and may lead to
flash flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded roadways.

&&

LAT...LON 4600 11644 4597 11658 4603 11661 4603 11658
      4600 11654 4600 11653 4601 11652 4602 11653
      4604 11652 4613 11651 4612 11648 4614 11648
      4620 11645 4620 11642 4618 11637
TIME...MOT...LOC 2245Z 158DEG 25KT 4590 11642

HAIL THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...1.25 IN
WIND THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX WIND GUST...60 MPH

$$

067 
WWUS55 KMSO 282318
SVSMSO

Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Missoula MT
518 PM MDT Thu May 28 2026

IDC049-282328-
/O.CAN.KMSO.SV.W.0002.000000T0000Z-260528T2330Z/
Idaho ID-
518 PM MDT Thu May 28 2026 /418 PM PDT Thu May 28 2026/

...SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING IS CANCELLED FOR NORTHWESTERN IDAHO
COUNTY...

The storm which prompted the warning has moved out of the area.
Therefore, the warning has been cancelled. However, gusty winds are
still possible with this thunderstorm.

To report severe weather, contact your nearest law enforcement
agency. They will send your report to the National Weather Service
office.

A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 100 AM MDT /1200
AM PDT/ Friday for a portion of central Idaho.

&&

LAT...LON 4600 11644 4597 11658 4603 11661 4603 11658
      4600 11654 4600 11653 4601 11652 4602 11653
      4604 11652 4613 11651 4612 11648 4614 11648
      4620 11645 4620 11642 4618 11637
TIME...MOT...LOC 2309Z 158DEG 25KT 4605 11650

$$

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 Missoula, MT wrote its last area forecast discussion before this severe thunderstorm warning went out at May 28, 12:57 PM PDT, 2 hours 48 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, May 28, 12:57 PM PDT, 2 hours 48 minutes before

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Missoula MT
157 PM MDT Thu May 28 2026

.DISCUSSION...

KEY MESSAGES:

- Warm temperatures and showers/thunderstorms with a few strong
  storms this afternoon, especially across northwest Montana and
  through north central Idaho

- Prolonged heavy rainfall this weekend in western Montana,
  elevating risks for hydrologic responses and rockfalls
  especially near and along the Continental Divide.

- High elevation snowfall on Saturday night into Monday could
  create difficult backcountry conditions.

This Afternoon/Evening:

This afternoon will bring the warmest temperatures of the week,
with valley highs climbing into the upper 80s to near 90 degrees
across western Montana and north-central Idaho. Similar to
yesterday, thunderstorms will develop by early afternoon and track
northwestward. Activity will focus primarily from the Bitterroot
Valley northward and across north-central Idaho, including the
Camas Prairie. A few stronger storms could produce erratic wind
gusts, brief heavy downpours, and small hail. Meanwhile, elevated
fire weather concerns persist across southwest Montana this
afternoon, particularly south of Dillon due to gusty winds and
relative humidity dropping into the teens.

Friday:

The weather pattern shifts significantly on Friday as an incoming
Pacific low-pressure system brings a band of heavy rain. South to
north moving showers and storms will bring localized heavy rain
and the potential for gusty winds and hail once again. Storms may
train over parts of the region particularly the US-12 and US-95
corridors in Idaho, thus localized flash flooding is a concern.

Saturday through Monday:

By Saturday, the low-pressure system is projected to settle near
the Yellowstone region, placing western Montana within a robust
deformation zone. Tapping into anomalous moisture, this setup
will trigger a prolonged, highly efficient rainfall event into at
least Monday.

- Hydrologic & Terrain Impacts: Saturated soils from recent rains
  combined with ongoing high-elevation snowmelt will elevate the
  risk for significant rises on rivers and streams, as well as
  rockfalls in steep canyon terrain.

- Precipitation Totals: The heaviest totals are forecast near the
  Continental Divide, where there is a 70 to 90 percent chance of
  exceeding 1 inch of rain, with localized amounts of 2 to 4
  inches possible.

- Snow Levels & Backcountry: Sharp cooling aloft will cause snow
  levels to drop to around 6,000 feet along the Continental Divide
  by Sunday morning. Backcountry users should prepare for raw,
  winter-like conditions and difficult travel.

Extended Outlook:

Looking further ahead, ensemble clusters favor a quick transition
back to building high pressure and above- normal temperatures by
mid-next week, offering a reprieve from this weekend's wet
pattern.

&&

.AVIATION...VFR conditions will prevail across western Montana and
north-central Idaho terminals this afternoon, though valley
temperatures approaching 90F will contribute to elevated density
altitude. Scattered afternoon and evening thunderstorms will focus
from the Bitterroot Valley northward and across north-central
Idaho, with high-resolution models maintaining coverage trends
similar to yesterday. Any developing convective cells could
produce short- lived, localized MVFR/IFR conditions due to heavy
downpours and low ceilings, alongside erratic outflow wind gusts,
hail, and mountain obscurations. Outside of convective activity,
terminals in southwest Montana and Lemhi County (including KBTM
and KSMN) will experience breezy southeasterly surface winds this
afternoon. Patchy fog and low stratus may develop Friday morning
in areas that receive rain this evening, ahead of another
widespread round of showers and thunderstorms Friday afternoon.

&&

.MSO WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
MT...None.
ID...None.
&&

In the hours before

Special weather statement, May 28, 2:30 PM PDT, 1 hour 15 minutes before

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Missoula MT
330 PM MDT Thu May 28 2026

MTZ007-043-282200-
Butte/Blackfoot Region MT-Potomac/Seeley Lake Region MT-
330 PM MDT Thu May 28 2026

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT WEST CENTRAL POWELL AND EAST
CENTRAL MISSOULA COUNTIES UNTIL 4 PM MDT...

At 330 PM MDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 12
miles north of Drummond, moving northwest at 20 mph.

HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 40 mph and pea 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...
  Ovando and Greenough.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Monitor the weather situation closely and be alert for threatening
weather conditions.

&&

LAT...LON 4685 11330 4692 11345 4708 11321 4685 11298
      4676 11311
TIME...MOT...LOC 2129Z 136DEG 17KT 4684 11310

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH

Special weather statement, May 28, 2:54 PM PDT, 51 minutes before

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Missoula MT
354 PM MDT Thu May 28 2026

IDZ008-282230-
Lower Hells Canyon/Salmon River Region ID-
254 PM PDT Thu May 28 2026

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT WEST CENTRAL IDAHO COUNTY UNTIL
330 PM PDT...

At 254 PM PDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 10
miles north of Riggins, or 26 miles south of Grangeville, moving
northwest at 20 mph.

HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 40 mph and pea 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...
  Lucile and Slate Creek.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Monitor the weather situation closely and be alert for threatening
weather conditions.

&&

LAT...LON 4546 11626 4552 11654 4555 11653 4556 11651
      4558 11648 4559 11648 4560 11646 4561 11646
      4565 11649 4568 11653 4570 11654 4573 11654
      4575 11655 4578 11659 4579 11658 4566 11623
TIME...MOT...LOC 2154Z 115DEG 19KT 4556 11631

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH

Special weather statement, May 28, 3:14 PM PDT, 31 minutes before

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Missoula MT
414 PM MDT Thu May 28 2026

MTZ007-043-282245-
Butte/Blackfoot Region MT-Potomac/Seeley Lake Region MT-
414 PM MDT Thu May 28 2026

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT WEST CENTRAL POWELL AND EAST
CENTRAL MISSOULA COUNTIES UNTIL 445 PM MDT...

At 414 PM MDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 11
miles southeast of Ovando, or 18 miles north of Drummond, moving
northwest at 20 mph.

HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 40 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...
  Ovando, Woodworth and Clearwater.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Monitor the weather situation closely and be alert for threatening
weather conditions.

&&

LAT...LON 4694 11330 4703 11349 4722 11324 4694 11288
      4681 11304
TIME...MOT...LOC 2214Z 132DEG 19KT 4691 11302

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.50 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH

Special weather statement, May 28, 3:44 PM PDT, 1 minute before

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Missoula MT
444 PM MDT Thu May 28 2026

MTZ007-282315-
Butte/Blackfoot Region MT-
444 PM MDT Thu May 28 2026

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT CENTRAL POWELL COUNTY UNTIL 515
PM MDT...

At 444 PM MDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 13
miles southeast of Ovando, or 21 miles northeast of Drummond, moving
northwest at 15 mph.

HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 40 mph and pea 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...
  Ovando and Helmville.

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 4693 11280 4681 11300 4700 11329 4718 11299
      4718 11298
TIME...MOT...LOC 2244Z 141DEG 11KT 4693 11292

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH

The office that day

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

Issued	Product	Office	Counties	Lasted
May 27, 9:04 PM PDT	Special Weather Statement	MSO	Lewis	41 min
May 27, 9:35 PM PDT	Areal Flood Advisory	MSO	Idaho	4 hr
May 28, 2:59 PM PDT	Areal Flood Advisory	MSO	Idaho	2 hr
May 28, 3:18 PM PDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	MSO	Idaho	42 min
May 28, 4:42 PM PDT	Special Weather Statement	MSO	Lewis	33 min

Nearby

Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in Idaho, 2026 Every 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; radar from the NEXRAD Level II archive.