Montana, 2017

Hail and Damaging Winds in Montana, July 16, 2017

July 16, 2017 · NWS BYZ · 8 events in 6 counties and zones

A few thunderstorms developed across the Billings Forecast Area during the afternoon and early evening of the 16th. Due to large temperature-dewpoint spreads, the main impact from these thunderstorms was very strong wind gusts which resulted in some isolated damage.

Where it happened

Every event with a place to put it. Tap one for its entry below.

  • Tornadoes
  • Tropical storms and surge
  • Floods
  • Wind
  • Hail
  • Winter weather
  • Heat and drought
  • Cold
  • Fire, smoke and dust
  • Marine and coastal
  • Other

Open the live radar over this ground

The toll

Deaths
0
Injuries
0
Property damage
None recorded
Crop damage
None recorded
Events
8

Deaths and injuries are direct and indirect together, as the offices filed them. Damage is property and crops in the dollars of the year, not adjusted for inflation, and only where an office estimated it.

What happened

The episode as NWS BYZ wrote it up.

A few thunderstorms developed across the Billings Forecast Area during the afternoon and early evening of the 16th. Due to large temperature-dewpoint spreads, the main impact from these thunderstorms was very strong wind gusts which resulted in some isolated damage.

What forecasters said that day

The local office's own words before the first event, 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 the first event at Jul 15, 8:22 PM MST, 4 hours 16 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Jul 15, 8:22 PM MST, 4 hours 16 minutes before
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Hazardous weather outlook, Jul 15, 2:02 PM MST, 10 hours 36 minutes before
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In the hours before

Special weather statement, Jul 15, 7:52 PM MST, 4 hours 46 minutes before
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The radar

The Glasgow radar (KGGW), 209 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 07:37 UTC.

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

7 thunderstorm wind, 1 hail. Local standard time, as filed.

Thunderstorm Wind, Custer

When
July 16, 12:38 AM MST
Where
Custer County, 1.43 mi W of Miles City
Measured
61 kt (70 mph) estimated gust
Reported by
Law Enforcement
Coordinates
46.400, -105.860

Wind damage occurred in the vicinity of Garry Owen/Spotted Eagle Roads, including a downed power line and downed trees. A few sheds were blown apart and a roof was blown off a shed.

Hail, Park

When
July 16, 1:11 PM MST
Where
Park County, 10.57 mi ESE of Chico
Measured
1 in hail
Reported by
Trained Spotter
Coordinates
45.280, -110.510

Thunderstorm Wind, Stillwater

When
July 16, 1:35 PM MST
Where
Stillwater County, 6.51 mi SSW of Molt
Measured
52 kt (60 mph) measured gust
Reported by
COOP Observer
Coordinates
45.780, -108.970

Thunderstorm Wind, Yellowstone

When
July 16, 2:06 PM MST
Where
Yellowstone County, 0.48 mi W of Billings Logan Arpt
Measured
52 kt (60 mph) measured gust
Reported by
ASOS
Coordinates
45.800, -108.540

Thunderstorm Wind, Rosebud

When
July 16, 5:15 PM MST
Where
Rosebud County, 1.17 mi NW of Rock Spgs
Measured
50 kt (58 mph) measured gust
Reported by
Department of Highways
Coordinates
46.830, -106.270

Thunderstorm Wind, Carter

When
July 16, 6:53 PM MST
Where
Carter County, 6.59 mi ENE of Mill Iron
Measured
66 kt (76 mph) measured gust
Reported by
Trained Spotter
Coordinates
45.880, -104.090

Thunderstorm Wind, Park

When
July 16, 6:55 PM MST
Where
Park County, Livingstn Mission Fl
Measured
51 kt (59 mph) measured gust
Reported by
ASOS
Coordinates
45.700, -110.450

Thunderstorm Wind, Park

When
July 16, 7:00 PM MST
Where
Park County, 2.07 mi S of Mission
Measured
50 kt (58 mph) measured gust
Reported by
Department of Highways
Coordinates
45.690, -110.500

What these are

Thunderstorm Wind
Winds from a thunderstorm of 50 knots (58 mph) or more, or lower winds that caused damage or casualties. Measured gusts are marked MG, estimated EG.
Hail
Hail three-quarters of an inch or larger, or smaller hail that caused damage, filed with the largest stone measured.

After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.

The same day elsewhere

More

Every storm in Montana in 2017Every state in 2017This day in weather historyWarnings in Montana, July 2017

Sources

NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Storm Events Database, compiled from the National Weather Service’s monthly Storm Data. Complete through 2026-06; NCEI adds each month about 75 days after it ends and revises past years a few times a year. Rebuilt 2026-10-01. Each event’s entry at NCEI: 703033, 703023, 703021, 703016, 703013, 703011, 703008, 703007.