Hail and Damaging Winds in Montana, July 7, 2020

Name: Hail and Damaging Winds in Montana, July 7, 2020
Start: 2020-07-07T12:50
End: 2020-07-07T19:12
Location: Montana

July 7, 2020 · NWS BYZ · 37 events in 12 counties and zones

A very similar set-up was in place on the 7th as was the case on the 6th. |An upper low was situated over the Pacific Northwest.

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: 37

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 very similar set-up was in place on the 7th as was the case on the 6th. |An upper low was situated over the Pacific Northwest. This resulted in a southwest flow aloft across the Billings Forecast Area. This pattern was quite favorable for the development of severe thunderstorms. A strong southeast, surface flow advected 50+ degree dewpoints from the central Plains northwestward across the entire Billings Forecast Area. In addition, a strong jet stream overhead provided plenty of speed shear over the area. This all resulted in a few supercell thunderstorms which then evolved into a squall line.

The radar

The Billings radar (KBLX), 156 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 19:50 UTC.

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

27 hail, 10 thunderstorm wind. Local standard time, as filed.

Thunderstorm Wind, Park

When: July 7, 12:50 PM MST
Where: Park County, 2 mi SW of Livingston
Measured: 55 kt (63 mph) measured gust
Reported by: Department of Highways
Coordinates: 45.650, -110.600

A wind gust of 63 mph was recorded 2 miles west/southwest of Livingston.

Hail, Park

When: July 7, 1:02 PM MST
Where: Park County, 4.17 mi N of Grannis
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 45.810, -110.490

Hail, Wheatland

When: July 7, 1:10 PM MST
Where: Wheatland County, 10.58 mi WNW of Twodot
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 46.470, -110.280

Hail, Wheatland

When: July 7, 1:40 PM MST
Where: Wheatland County, 11.74 mi SW of Judith Gap
Measured: 0.88 in hail
Reported by: COOP Observer
Coordinates: 46.580, -109.950

Thunderstorm Wind, Wheatland

When: July 7, 1:44 PM MST
Where: Wheatland County, 4.93 mi N of Harlowton
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) measured gust
Reported by: Mesonet
Coordinates: 46.500, -109.800

Thunderstorm Wind, Wheatland

When: July 7, 2:10 PM MST
Where: Wheatland County, 13.1 mi ESE of Judith Gap
Measured: 65 kt (75 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: COOP Observer
Coordinates: 46.640, -109.480

An enhanced microburst, around the intersection of 297 and Bercail Road , with winds estimated at 70-75 mph, resulted in a swath about 2 to 3 miles of wind driven rain and hail that sheared grasses and crops. Significant crop damage occurred with grass and wheat fields sheared to the ground. In addition, numerous, large cottonwood limbs with leaves stripped were downed. A small, elevated silo was blown over and minor roof damage occurred to a couple of structures. Highway 287 had pea size to 1/2 inch size gravel blown on it from the shoulder.

Hail, Golden Valley

When: July 7, 2:15 PM MST
Where: Golden Valley County, 12.21 mi SSW of Barber
Measured: 2 in hail
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 46.150, -109.450

Hail, Golden Valley

When: July 7, 3:03 PM MST
Where: Golden Valley County, 5.94 mi ESE of Belmont
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 46.190, -108.890

Thunderstorm Wind, Golden Valley

When: July 7, 3:03 PM MST
Where: Golden Valley County, 5.94 mi ESE of Belmont
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) measured gust
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 46.190, -108.890

Hail, Musselshell

When: July 7, 3:10 PM MST
Where: Musselshell County, 8.73 mi SSW of Elso
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 46.240, -108.760

Golf ball size hail fell from 410-420pm.

Hail, Musselshell

When: July 7, 3:10 PM MST
Where: Musselshell County, 8.98 mi SSW of Elso
Measured: 2.5 in hail
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 46.240, -108.770

Hail, Musselshell

When: July 7, 3:13 PM MST
Where: Musselshell County, 5.39 mi SSW of Elso
Measured: 2 in hail
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 46.280, -108.720

Hail, Musselshell

When: July 7, 3:15 PM MST
Where: Musselshell County, 6.69 mi WSW of Elso
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 46.300, -108.790

Hail, Big Horn

When: July 7, 3:25 PM MST
Where: Big Horn County, 3.49 mi S of Kirby
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 45.250, -106.970

Hail, Musselshell

When: July 7, 3:35 PM MST
Where: Musselshell County, 1.18 mi NW of Roundup
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 46.460, -108.550

Hail, Musselshell

When: July 7, 3:36 PM MST
Where: Musselshell County, 0.95 mi W of Roundup
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 46.450, -108.550

Hail, Musselshell

When: July 7, 3:36 PM MST
Where: Musselshell County, 0.84 mi SE of Klein
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Reported by: CoCoRaHS
Coordinates: 46.390, -108.520

Hail, Musselshell

When: July 7, 3:38 PM MST
Where: Musselshell County, 0.84 mi NW of Roundup
Measured: 0.88 in hail
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 46.460, -108.540

Hail, Musselshell

When: July 7, 3:45 PM MST
Where: Musselshell County, 2.48 mi WNW of Delphia
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 46.510, -108.270

Hail, Musselshell

When: July 7, 3:45 PM MST
Where: Musselshell County, 4.71 mi SE of Klein
Measured: 2 in hail
Reported by: CoCoRaHS
Coordinates: 46.360, -108.450

The average hail size was 0.5 inches and covered the ground.

Thunderstorm Wind, Sweet Grass

When: July 7, 3:49 PM MST
Where: Sweet Grass County, 10.5 mi ESE of Greycliff
Measured: 51 kt (59 mph) measured gust
Reported by: Department of Highways
Coordinates: 45.710, -109.580

Hail, Yellowstone

When: July 7, 3:50 PM MST
Where: Yellowstone County, 0.69 mi S of Shepherd
Measured: 2 in hail
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 45.940, -108.350

Hail, Yellowstone

When: July 7, 3:58 PM MST
Where: Yellowstone County, 1.18 mi NW of Huntley
Measured: 1.5 in hail
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 45.910, -108.340

Hail, Yellowstone

When: July 7, 4:00 PM MST
Where: Yellowstone County, 3.55 mi SW of Worden
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 45.940, -108.230

Thunderstorm Wind, Park

When: July 7, 4:07 PM MST
Where: Park County, 9.41 mi ESE of Chico
Measured: 53 kt (61 mph) measured gust
Reported by: Mesonet
Coordinates: 45.270, -110.540

A wind gust of 61 mph was recorded 12 miles southeast of Emigrant.

Thunderstorm Wind, Rosebud

When: July 7, 4:47 PM MST
Where: Rosebud County, 8.96 mi ESE of Birney
Measured: 54 kt (62 mph) measured gust
Reported by: Mesonet
Coordinates: 45.270, -106.350

Hail, Powder River

When: July 7, 5:05 PM MST
Where: Powder River County, 2.93 mi SSE of Epsie
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: CoCoRaHS
Coordinates: 45.440, -105.630

Hail, Powder River

When: July 7, 5:27 PM MST
Where: Powder River County, 1.61 mi WNW of Broadus
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 45.460, -105.450

Hail, Powder River

When: July 7, 5:30 PM MST
Where: Powder River County, 10.47 mi N of Biddle
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 45.250, -105.320

Hail, Powder River

When: July 7, 5:30 PM MST
Where: Powder River County, 6.87 mi SSE of Broadus Arpt
Measured: 2 in hail
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 45.340, -105.360

Hail, Powder River

When: July 7, 5:35 PM MST
Where: Powder River County, 4.01 mi NE of Broadus
Measured: 1.5 in hail
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 45.490, -105.360

Hail, Powder River

When: July 7, 6:02 PM MST
Where: Powder River County, 16.84 mi N of Belle Creek Arpt
Measured: 1.5 in hail
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 45.370, -105.040

Thunderstorm Wind, Custer

When: July 7, 6:15 PM MST
Where: Custer County, 0.48 mi W of Miles City Arpt
Measured: 64 kt (74 mph) measured gust
Reported by: ASOS
Coordinates: 46.430, -105.890

A wind gust of 74 mph was recorded at the Miles City Airport.

Thunderstorm Wind, Custer

When: July 7, 6:22 PM MST
Where: Custer County, 7.29 mi SSW of Kinsey
Measured: 61 kt (70 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 46.480, -105.730

Large tree branches fell on I-94 between mile markers 144 and 145.

Thunderstorm Wind, Fallon

When: July 7, 6:30 PM MST
Where: Fallon County, 2.07 mi S of Baker
Measured: 61 kt (70 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 46.340, -104.280

Several trees were uprooted and power lines were downed. The local farm and fleet store had a number of large stock tanks that traveled about 1/4 mile into town taking out a few fences. In addition, power was out in much of the town.

Hail, Carter

When: July 7, 6:45 PM MST
Where: Carter County, 16.34 mi SW of Ekalaka
Measured: 1.25 in hail
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 45.700, -104.770

Hail, Carter

When: July 7, 7:12 PM MST
Where: Carter County, 5.61 mi S of Belltower
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Reported by: Storm Chaser
Coordinates: 45.550, -104.400

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

Every storm in Montana in 2020 Every state in 2020 This day in weather history Warnings in Montana, July 2020

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 2026-09-24. Each event’s entry at NCEI: 894308, 894307, 894448, 894450, 894458, 894456, 894295, 894296, 894297, 894299, 894300, 894306, 894298, 894289, 894301, 894302, 894303, 894304, 894305, 894462, 894459, 894452, 894453, 894454, 894316, 894461, 894317, 894319, 894320, 894463, 894318, 894455, 894293, 894292, 894294, 894290, 894291.