Alert archive / Idaho / Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in 2026
Severe Thunderstorm Warning 8, NWS Missoula, MT
NWS Missoula, MT issued this severe thunderstorm warning at May 28, 2026, 6:35 PM PDT for Clearwater County, Idaho. It was in force for 30 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, 6:35 PM PDT (01:35 UTC)
- Expired
- May 28, 2026, 7:05 PM PDT
- In force
- 30 min
- Issued by
- NWS Missoula, MT
- Area
- Storm-based polygon
- Hail
- 1.25 in
- Wind
- 60.0 mph
County Clearwater County, ID
The radar
The Spokane radar (KOTX), 150 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 01:34 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 nearest sounding before it
Spokane, WA (KOTX), launched 00:00Z, 1.6 hours before the alert went out and 103 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
- 1168 J/kg
- Mixed-layer CIN
- -53 J/kg
- Mixed-layer LCL
- 2331 m above ground
- 0-6 km bulk shear
- 24 kt
- 0-1 km storm-relative helicity
- -3 m²/s²
- 0-3 km storm-relative helicity
- 9 m²/s²
- Significant tornado parameter
- 0.0
- Supercell composite
- -0.2
The text
As transmitted.
811
WUUS55 KMSO 290135
SVRMSO
IDC035-290215-
/O.NEW.KMSO.SV.W.0008.260529T0135Z-260529T0215Z/
BULLETIN - IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
National Weather Service Missoula MT
735 PM MDT Thu May 28 2026
The National Weather Service in Missoula has issued a
* Severe Thunderstorm Warning for...
Northwestern Clearwater County in the panhandle of Idaho...
* Until 715 PM PDT.
* At 635 PM PDT, a severe thunderstorm was located near Elk River, or
19 miles northeast of Orofino, moving north at 20 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...
Elk River.
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 4671 11596 4666 11623 4681 11633 4694 11633
4693 11601
TIME...MOT...LOC 0135Z 167DEG 19KT 4673 11611
HAIL THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...1.25 IN
WIND THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX WIND GUST...60 MPH
$$2 follow-up statements
422
WWUS55 KMSO 290145
SVSMSO
Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Missoula MT
745 PM MDT Thu May 28 2026
IDC035-290215-
/O.CON.KMSO.SV.W.0008.000000T0000Z-260529T0215Z/
Clearwater ID-
645 PM PDT Thu May 28 2026
...SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 715 PM PDT FOR
NORTHWESTERN CLEARWATER COUNTY...
At 645 PM PDT, a severe thunderstorm was located over Elk River, or
22 miles north of Orofino, moving north at 20 mph.
HAZARD...60 mph wind gusts and quarter size hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Hail damage to vehicles is expected. Expect wind damage to
roofs, siding, and trees.
Locations impacted include...
Elk River.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Seek shelter inside a well-built structure and stay away from
windows. This storm is capable of producing damaging winds and large
hail.
&&
LAT...LON 4678 11604 4673 11624 4681 11633 4694 11633
4693 11615 4693 11601
TIME...MOT...LOC 0135Z 167DEG 19KT 4674 11611
HAIL THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX HAIL SIZE...1.00 IN
WIND THREAT...RADAR INDICATED
MAX WIND GUST...60 MPH
$$690
WWUS55 KMSO 290205
SVSMSO
Severe Weather Statement
National Weather Service Missoula MT
805 PM MDT Thu May 28 2026
IDC035-290215-
/O.CAN.KMSO.SV.W.0008.000000T0000Z-260529T0215Z/
Clearwater ID-
705 PM PDT Thu May 28 2026
...SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING IS CANCELLED FOR NORTHWESTERN
CLEARWATER COUNTY...
The storm which prompted the warning has moved out of the area.
Therefore, the warning has been cancelled.
A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 1200 AM PDT
Friday for a portion of panhandle Idaho.
&&
LAT...LON 4678 11604 4673 11624 4681 11633 4694 11633
4693 11615 4693 11601
TIME...MOT...LOC 0145Z 167DEG 19KT 4679 11613
$$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, 5 hours 38 minutes earlier.
Area forecast discussion, May 28, 12:57 PM PDT, 5 hours 38 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
Local storm report, May 28, 5:17 PM PDT, 1 hour 18 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Missoula MT
617 PM MDT Thu May 28 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0616 PM Hail 3 SW La Salle 48.29N 114.30W
05/28/2026 E0.50 Inch Flathead MT Trained Spotter
&&Special weather statement, May 28, 5:53 PM PDT, 42 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Missoula MT
653 PM MDT Thu May 28 2026
MTZ004>006-043-290145-
Missoula/Bitterroot Valleys MT-Potomac/Seeley Lake Region MT-
Lower Clark Fork Region MT-Bitterroot/Sapphire Mountains MT-
653 PM MDT Thu May 28 2026
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT SOUTH CENTRAL MISSOULA AND
NORTHERN RAVALLI COUNTIES UNTIL 745 PM MDT...
At 653 PM MDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over
Lolo, or 6 miles southwest of Missoula, moving north at 20 mph.
HAZARD...Penny size hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Minor damage to outdoor objects is possible.
Locations impacted include...
Missoula, Lolo, Wye, East Missoula and Bonner-West Riverside.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Monitor the weather situation closely and be alert for threatening
weather conditions.
&&
LAT...LON 4694 11424 4697 11386 4671 11392 4665 11414
4693 11437
TIME...MOT...LOC 0053Z 161DEG 17KT 4679 11408
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.75 IN
MAX WIND GUST...<30 MPHLocal storm report, May 28, 6:02 PM PDT, 33 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Missoula MT
702 PM MDT Thu May 28 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0700 PM Hail 1 ENE Woodland 46.31N 116.05W
05/28/2026 E1.25 Inch Idaho ID Public
&&Local storm report, May 28, 6:08 PM PDT, 27 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Missoula MT
708 PM MDT Thu May 28 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0510 PM Hail 1 SW Grangeville 45.92N 116.13W
05/28/2026 M0.88 Inch Idaho ID Trained Spotter
&&Special weather statement, May 28, 6:15 PM PDT, 20 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Missoula MT
715 PM MDT Thu May 28 2026
MTZ006-043-290145-
Potomac/Seeley Lake Region MT-Bitterroot/Sapphire Mountains MT-
715 PM MDT Thu May 28 2026
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT WESTERN POWELL...SOUTHEASTERN
MISSOULA AND NORTH CENTRAL GRANITE COUNTIES UNTIL 745 PM MDT...
At 715 PM MDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 18
miles northwest of Drummond, moving north at 15 mph.
HAZARD...Penny size hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Minor damage to outdoor objects is possible.
Locations impacted include...
Potomac, Clinton, Nimrod, Twin Creeks, Turah and Garnet.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Monitor the weather situation closely and be alert for threatening
weather conditions.
&&
LAT...LON 4683 11387 4698 11384 4685 11330 4683 11330
4683 11329 4682 11330 4665 11339 4661 11338
4675 11389
TIME...MOT...LOC 0114Z 191DEG 14KT 4677 11350
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.75 IN
MAX WIND GUST...<30 MPHSpecial weather statement, May 28, 6:22 PM PDT, 13 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Missoula MT
722 PM MDT Thu May 28 2026
IDZ005-290145-
Northern Clearwater Mountains ID-
622 PM PDT Thu May 28 2026
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT NORTHWESTERN CLEARWATER COUNTY
UNTIL 645 PM PDT...
At 622 PM PDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 9
miles southeast of Elk River, or 14 miles northeast of Orofino,
moving north at 35 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 50 mph and nickel 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...
Elk River and Dent.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Monitor the weather situation closely and be alert for threatening
weather conditions.
&&
LAT...LON 4663 11594 4657 11619 4659 11623 4670 11633
4691 11633 4693 11623 4693 11601
TIME...MOT...LOC 0122Z 164DEG 30KT 4666 11610
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.88 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPHThe office that day
Everything else NWS Missoula, MT issued on the same UTC day.
| Issued | Product | Office | Counties | Lasted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 28, 5:03 PM PDT | Special Weather Statement | MSO | Clearwater | 27 min |
| May 28, 5:04 PM PDT | Special Weather Statement | MSO | Idaho | 26 min |
| May 28, 5:09 PM PDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | MSO | Idaho | 31 min |
| May 28, 5:38 PM PDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | MSO | Clearwater | 52 min |
| May 28, 5:47 PM PDT | Severe Thunderstorm Warning | MSO | Clearwater, Idaho | 34 min |
| May 28, 6:22 PM PDT | Special Weather Statement | MSO | Clearwater | 23 min |
Nearby
Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in Idaho, 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.