Montana, 2020Hail and Damaging Winds in Montana, July 23, 2020
July 23, 2020 · NWS GGW · 11 events in 4 counties and zones
A large area of low pressure at the surface combined with a very unstable atmosphere and a hot moist air from the south to quickly form strong and severe thunderstorms during the afternoon and evening hours, which moved northward through the eastern edge of Montana.
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
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- Deaths
- 0
- Injuries
- 0
- Property damage
- None recorded
- Crop damage
- None recorded
- Events
- 11
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.
A large area of low pressure at the surface combined with a very unstable atmosphere and a hot moist air from the south to quickly form strong and severe thunderstorms during the afternoon and evening hours, which moved northward through the eastern edge of Montana.
Event by event
8 thunderstorm wind, 2 hail, 1 funnel cloud. Local standard time, as filed.
Hail, Wibaux
- When
- July 23, 3:30 PM MST
- Where
- Wibaux County, 7.62 mi W of Carlyle
- Measured
- 1.5 in hail
- Reported by
- Trained Spotter
- Coordinates
- 46.660, -104.190
Trained spotter reported hail up to the size of ping pong balls, as well as wind gusts estimated at 50 mph.
Hail, Wibaux
- When
- July 23, 4:20 PM MST
- Where
- Wibaux County, 7.26 mi NE of Wibaux
- Measured
- 1.25 in hail
- Reported by
- Public
- Coordinates
- 47.060, -104.080
Public reported half dollar size hail. Time estimated from radar.
Thunderstorm Wind, Dawson
- When
- July 23, 4:40 PM MST
- Where
- Dawson County, 8.1 mi SSW of Intake
- Measured
- 56 kt (64 mph) estimated gust
- Reported by
- Public
- Coordinates
- 47.190, -104.590
Public reported many shingles torn off a roof and debris flying around. Wind speed is estimated.
Thunderstorm Wind, Richland
- When
- July 23, 5:38 PM MST
- Where
- Richland County, 1.55 mi ENE of Sioux Pass Dot
- Measured
- 57 kt (66 mph) measured gust
- Reported by
- Department of Highways
- Coordinates
- 47.940, -104.300
At the Sioux Pass MT-16 DOT site (MTSOO), a 66 mph wind gust was recorded. Winds at this site were also witnessed by an off-duty NWS employee.
Funnel Cloud, Sheridan
- When
- July 23, 6:09 PM MST
- Where
- Sheridan County, 0.83 mi SSE of Plentywood
- Reported by
- Trained Spotter
- Coordinates
- 48.770, -104.560
Trained spotter reported a funnel cloud near Plentywood, which was coincident with rotation seen on radar.
Thunderstorm Wind, Sheridan
- When
- July 23, 6:10 PM MST
- Where
- Sheridan County, 0.83 mi SSE of Plentywood
- Measured
- 56 kt (64 mph) estimated gust
- Reported by
- COOP Observer
- Coordinates
- 48.770, -104.560
Cooperative observer reported several trees blown over, as well as many tree limbs broken off or stripped of leaves. Time is estimated from radar.
Thunderstorm Wind, Sheridan
- When
- July 23, 6:15 PM MST
- Where
- Sheridan County, Plentywood
- Measured
- 56 kt (64 mph) estimated gust
- Reported by
- Public
- Coordinates
- 48.780, -104.570
Public reported singles torn off a roof. Wind speed is estimated.
Thunderstorm Wind, Sheridan
- When
- July 23, 6:15 PM MST
- Where
- Sheridan County, 0.83 mi SSE of Plentywood
- Measured
- 61 kt (70 mph) estimated gust
- Reported by
- Emergency Manager
- Coordinates
- 48.770, -104.560
Assistant DES Coordinator for Sheridan County reported wind gusts up to 70 mph.
Thunderstorm Wind, Sheridan
- When
- July 23, 6:20 PM MST
- Where
- Sheridan County, 0.91 mi E of Plentywood
- Measured
- 61 kt (70 mph) estimated gust
- Reported by
- Trained Spotter
- Coordinates
- 48.780, -104.550
Trained spotter and Emergency Preparation Coordinator at the local hospital reported small outbuildings, small trees, and some power lines blown down. Wind speed is estimated.
Thunderstorm Wind, Sheridan
- When
- July 23, 6:20 PM MST
- Where
- Sheridan County, 0.69 mi N of Plentywood Shrwd Arp
- Measured
- 58 kt (67 mph) measured gust
- Reported by
- Mesonet
- Coordinates
- 48.790, -104.530
The mesonet site at the Plentywood airport (GGWPW), recorded at 67 mph wind gust. Time estimated from radar.
Thunderstorm Wind, Sheridan
- When
- July 23, 6:30 PM MST
- Where
- Sheridan County, 0.69 mi S of Plentywood
- Measured
- 65 kt (75 mph) estimated gust
- Reported by
- Trained Spotter
- Coordinates
- 48.770, -104.570
Trained spotter reported three large spruce trees up to 70 feet tall and one cottonwood tree blown down. Wind speed is estimated.
- Hail
- Hail three-quarters of an inch or larger, or smaller hail that caused damage, filed with the largest stone measured.
- 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.
- Funnel Cloud
- A rotating column of cloud extending from a thunderstorm that did not reach the ground.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
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- Wildfire in Washington, July 23 to 30, 2020$300,000 · 1 event
- Flash Flooding and Flooding in Nebraska, July 23 to 26, 2020$200,000 · 4 events
- Flash Flooding and Flood in Maryland, July 23 to 24, 2020$160,000 · 7 events
- Damaging Winds and Lightning Strike in New York, July 23, 2020$65,000 · 50 kt wind · 13 events
- Flash Flood and Flooding in Virginia, July 23, 2020$50,000 · 4 events
- Damaging Winds in Pennsylvania, July 23, 2020$40,000 · 50 kt wind · 8 events
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- Flash Flooding and Debris Flows in Utah, July 23, 20202 injured · 68 kt wind · 5 events
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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: 909725, 909726, 909727, 909732, 909723, 909733, 909729, 909734, 909730, 909735, 909731.