Hail and Damaging Winds in Wyoming, July 9, 2021

Name: Hail and Damaging Winds in Wyoming, July 9, 2021
Start: 2021-07-09T16:49
End: 2021-07-09T18:40
Location: Wyoming

July 9, 2021 · NWS UNR · 9 events in 2 counties and zones

A long-lived supercell thunderstorm tracked across portions of northern Campbell County into Weston County, producing large hail and strong wind gusts.

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: 9

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 UNR wrote it up.

A long-lived supercell thunderstorm tracked across portions of northern Campbell County into Weston County, producing large hail and strong wind gusts.

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 Rapid City, SD wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at Jul 9, 1:45 PM MST, 3 hours 4 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Jul 9, 1:45 PM MST, 3 hours 4 minutes before

Area Forecast Discussion For Western SD and Northeastern WY
National Weather Service Rapid City SD
245 PM MDT Fri Jul 9 2021

.DISCUSSION...(This Evening Through Friday)
Issued at 155 PM MDT Fri Jul 9 2021

Upper ridge currently over the area will give way to a shortwave
trough dropping southeastward out of Montana, bringing showers
and thunderstorms to much of the forecast area tonight into
Saturday. At the surface, a deepening region of low pressure is
centered over Colorado, producing breezy northeasterly winds and
weak low level upslope flow over the forecast area this afternoon.
Currently, MLCAPE is highest (around 3000J/KG) along a E-W
boundary in Nebraska, decreasing to around 1000-2000J/KG in
southwestern South Dakota. Abundant CIN currently remains in
place over the forecast area, keeping a cap on any surface based
convection. May see a few storms try to develop along the
convergence zone over the Black Hills during the rest of the
afternoon, but the main activity will develop over northeastern
Wyoming during the late afternoon and spread southeastward due to
increasing ascent associated the the upper trough. Shear profiles
indicate that some severe storms will be possible, with large
hail and damaging wind gusts, especially as storms crossing
northeastern Wyoming reach the region of strongest (60+kts) of
0-6km bulk shear and instability toward the srn and central Black
Hills, extending into far southwestern SD.

Convection should become elevated later this evening with
strong/isolated severe storms moving east across mainly the
southern half of the SD side of the forecast area.

On Saturday, the upper trough will continue to move off to the
east of the region. However with cyclonic flow and CAA aloft
promoting instability expect some showers and thunderstorms over
mainly the SD side of the forecast area, drying out by evening as
breezy/gusty northerly winds bring in drier air.

An upper ridge on Sunday and Monday, will bring mostly dry
weather and warm temperatures, then another upper trough will
move across the US/Canadian border mid-week bringing increased
chances for showers and storms.

&&

.AVIATION...(For the 18Z TAFS Through 18Z Saturday)
Issued At 155 PM MDT Fri Jul 9 2021

ISO/SCT TSRA are expected to develop and move over the region late
afternoon and evening. Any overhead storms may bring localized
IFR/LIFR conditions, along with a threat for large hail and
damaging winds.

&&

.UNR WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
SD...None.
WY...None.
&&

DISCUSSION...10
AVIATION...Dye

Hazardous weather outlook, Jul 9, 4:31 AM MST, 12 hours 18 minutes before

Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Rapid City SD
531 AM MDT Fri Jul 9 2021

SDZ012-013-024>032-041>044-046-047-049-072>074-WYZ054>058-071-
101300-
Butte-Northern Meade Co Plains-Northern Black Hills-
Northern Foot Hills-Rapid City-Southern Foot Hills-
Central Black Hills-Southern Black Hills-Custer Co Plains-
Pennington Co Plains-Haakon-Fall River-Oglala Lakota-Jackson-
Bennett-Mellette-Todd-Tripp-Sturgis/Piedmont Foot Hills-
Southern Meade Co Plains-Hermosa Foot Hills-Northern Campbell-
Southern Campbell-Western Crook-Wyoming Black Hills-Weston-
Northeastern Crook-
531 AM MDT Fri Jul 9 2021 /631 AM CDT Fri Jul 9 2021/

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of western South
Dakota and northeastern Wyoming.

.DAY ONE...Today and Tonight

Isolated to scattered thunderstorms will again be possible this
afternoon and evening. Some of these storms could be severe, with
very large hail and damaging winds the primary threats. The main
area of concern is from northeastern WY southeastward through
south central SD.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Saturday through Thursday

Additional thunderstorms will be possible Saturday. Severe
weather is not anticipated at this time.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotter activation will not be needed today.

&&

Stay tuned to NOAA weather radio for further updates...or check
our web site at weather.gov/rapidcity

SDZ001-002-014-101300-
Harding-Perkins-Ziebach-
531 AM MDT Fri Jul 9 2021

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of northwestern
South Dakota.

.DAY ONE...Today and Tonight

Isolated to scattered thunderstorms will again be possible this
afternoon and evening. However, severe weather is not anticipated
over far northwestern SD at this time.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Saturday through Thursday

Additional thunderstorms will be possible Saturday. Severe
weather is not anticipated at this time.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotter activation will not be needed today.

&&

Stay tuned to NOAA weather radio for further updates...or check
our web site at weather.gov/rapidcity

In the hours before

Special weather statement, Jul 9, 2:41 PM MST, 2 hours 8 minutes before

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Rapid City SD
341 PM MDT Fri Jul 9 2021

SDZ028-092215-
Central Black Hills SD-
341 PM MDT Fri Jul 9 2021

...STRONG THUNDERSTORM OVER WEST CENTRAL PENNINGTON COUNTY...

At 340 PM MDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over
Mystic, or 10 miles northwest of Hill City, moving southeast at 25
mph.

Pea to penny size hail will be possible with this storm.

Locations impacted include...
Johnson Siding, Silver City, Rochford, Mystic, Pactola Reservoir,
Sheridan Lake and Deerfield Reservoir.

LAT...LON 4403 10379 4414 10374 4411 10337 4391 10349
TIME...MOT...LOC 2140Z 299DEG 23KT 4407 10367

Eagan

Special weather statement, Jul 9, 3:10 PM MST, 1 hour 39 minutes before

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Rapid City SD
410 PM MDT Fri Jul 9 2021

SDZ026-028>031-074-092245-
Custer Co Plains SD-Hermosa Foot Hills SD-Pennington Co Plains SD-
Central Black Hills SD-Southern Black Hills SD-Rapid City SD-
410 PM MDT Fri Jul 9 2021

...STRONG THUNDERSTORM OVER NORTH CENTRAL CUSTER AND SOUTH CENTRAL
PENNINGTON COUNTIES...

At 410 PM MDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over
Rockerville, or 9 miles east of Hill City, moving southeast at 40
mph.

Pea to penny size hail and winds in excess of 40 mph will be
possible with this storm.

Locations impacted include...
Southwestern Rapid City, Hermosa, Keystone, Hisega, Hayward,
Rockerville, Keystone Wye, Bear Country, Hart Ranch, Thompson Butte,
Sheridan Lake, Black Gap, Reptile Gardens and Mount Rushmore National
Memorial.

LAT...LON 4393 10351 4406 10341 4393 10295 4368 10315
TIME...MOT...LOC 2210Z 301DEG 33KT 4396 10338

Eagan

Special weather statement, Jul 9, 3:30 PM MST, 1 hour 19 minutes before

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Rapid City SD
430 PM MDT Fri Jul 9 2021

SDZ028-029-092245-
Central Black Hills SD-Southern Black Hills SD-
430 PM MDT Fri Jul 9 2021

...STRONG THUNDERSTORM OVER NORTHWESTERN CUSTER AND SOUTHWESTERN
PENNINGTON COUNTIES...

At 429 PM MDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 3
miles southeast of Deerfield Reservoir, or 10 miles west of Hill
City, moving east at 40 mph.

Pea to nickel size hail and winds in excess of 40 mph will be
possible with this storm.

Locations impacted include...
Hill City, Deerfield, Deerfield Reservoir, Crazy Horse Memorial, Bear
Mountain Lookout and Medicine Mountain.

LAT...LON 4388 10396 4406 10391 4406 10350 4380 10359
TIME...MOT...LOC 2229Z 276DEG 33KT 4397 10377

Eagan

Special weather statement, Jul 9, 3:47 PM MST, 1 hour 2 minutes before

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Rapid City SD
447 PM MDT Fri Jul 9 2021

SDZ028-029-092315-
Central Black Hills SD-Southern Black Hills SD-
447 PM MDT Fri Jul 9 2021

...STRONG THUNDERSTORM OVER NORTH CENTRAL CUSTER AND SOUTHWESTERN
PENNINGTON COUNTIES...

At 447 PM MDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 3
miles northwest of Bear Mountain Lookout, or 10 miles west of Hill
City, moving east at 35 mph.

Nickel size hail and winds in excess of 40 mph will be possible with
this storm.

Locations impacted include...
Custer, Hill City, Mount Rushmore National Memorial, Keystone Wye,
Stockade Lake, Crazy Horse Memorial, Sylvan Lake, Medicine Mountain,
Sheridan Lake, Bear Mountain Lookout, Mount Coolidge, Black Elk Peak,
Horse Thief Lake, Palmer Gulch Resort and northwestern Custer State
Park.

LAT...LON 4383 10389 4398 10386 4398 10343 4372 10348
TIME...MOT...LOC 2247Z 274DEG 30KT 4392 10378

Eagan

Special weather statement, Jul 9, 4:28 PM MST, 21 minutes before

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Rapid City SD
528 PM MDT Fri Jul 9 2021

SDZ027-029-030-041-074-100000-
Custer Co Plains SD-Fall River SD-Hermosa Foot Hills SD-
Southern Foot Hills SD-Southern Black Hills SD-
528 PM MDT Fri Jul 9 2021

...STRONG THUNDERSTORM OVER CENTRAL CUSTER AND NORTHEASTERN FALL
RIVER COUNTIES...

At 528 PM MDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over
southeastern Custer State Park, or 12 miles southeast of Custer,
moving southeast at 40 mph.

Nickel size hail and winds in excess of 40 mph will be possible with
this storm.

Locations impacted include...
Buffalo Gap, Fairburn, Wind Cave National Park, Blue Bell, Custer
State Park, Legion Lake, Buffalo Corrals and State Game Lodge.

LAT...LON 4363 10358 4379 10344 4361 10300 4360 10300
      4337 10321
TIME...MOT...LOC 2328Z 304DEG 35KT 4366 10339

Eagan

The radar

The Rapid City radar (KUDX), 231 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 23:49 UTC.

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

6 hail, 3 thunderstorm wind. Local standard time, as filed.

Hail, Campbell

When: July 9, 4:49 PM MST
Where: Campbell County, 12.06 mi NE of Echeta
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 44.560, -105.670

Thunderstorm Wind, Campbell

When: July 9, 5:15 PM MST
Where: Campbell County, 9 mi NE of Gillette
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 44.382, -105.371

Wind gusts were estimated at 60 mph.

Thunderstorm Wind, Weston

When: July 9, 5:54 PM MST
Where: Weston County, 11.41 mi W of Upton
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 44.100, -104.860

The spotter estimated wind gusts at 60 mph.

Hail, Weston

When: July 9, 6:00 PM MST
Where: Weston County, 4.9 mi SW of Upton
Measured: 0.88 in hail
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 44.050, -104.700

Hail, Weston

When: July 9, 6:02 PM MST
Where: Weston County, 1 mi NNE of Upton
Measured: 0.75 in hail
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 44.113, -104.622

Hail, Weston

When: July 9, 6:25 PM MST to 6:35 PM MST
Where: Weston County, 4.9 mi S of Newcastle Arpt
Measured: 2.75 in hail
Reported by: Fire Department/Rescue
Coordinates: 43.809, -104.321

Hail to baseball size broke a window on a fire truck.

Hail, Weston

When: July 9, 6:30 PM MST
Where: Weston County, 1 mi WSW of Newcastle
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 43.855, -104.219

Hail, Weston

When: July 9, 6:30 PM MST to 6:40 PM MST
Where: Weston County, Newcastle
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 43.860, -104.200

The combination of golf ball sized hail and gusty winds damaged homes and vehicles in Newcastle.

Thunderstorm Wind, Weston

When: July 9, 6:35 PM MST
Where: Weston County, 6 mi WNW of Newcastle
Measured: 54 kt (62 mph) measured gust
Reported by: AWOS
Coordinates: 43.893, -104.311

What these are

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.

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

The same day elsewhere

Every storm in Wyoming in 2021 Every state in 2021 This day in weather history Warnings in Wyoming, July 2021

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: 963538, 963540, 975007, 975008, 963574, 963735, 963577, 963736, 963585.