Damaging Winds and Strong Wind in Montana, July 26, 2025

Name: Damaging Winds and Strong Wind in Montana, July 26, 2025
Start: 2025-07-26T16:00
End: 2025-07-26T20:40
Location: Montana

July 26, 2025 · NWS MSO · 3 events in 3 counties and zones

Scattered thunderstorms developed over the Bitterroot Mountains and Anaconda Range, tracked north and east across western Montana and produced gusty winds of 45 to 60 mph that caused spotty damage.

Where it happened

Every event with a place to put it; 1 filed by county or forecast zone are drawn at its center, in a lighter ring. Tap one for its entry below.

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The toll

Deaths: 0
Injuries: 1
Property damage: $2,000
Crop damage: None recorded
Events: 3

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 MSO wrote it up.

Scattered thunderstorms developed over the Bitterroot Mountains and Anaconda Range, tracked north and east across western Montana and produced gusty winds of 45 to 60 mph that caused spotty damage.

The radar

The national radar mosaic for the moment the first event began.

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Event by event

2 thunderstorm wind, 1 strong wind. Local standard time, as filed.

Strong Wind, Missoula / Bitterroot Valleys

When: July 26, 4:00 PM MST to 5:00 PM MST
Where: Missoula / Bitterroot Valleys forecast zone
Measured: 43 kt (49 mph) measured gust
Injuries: 1 direct, 0 indirect
Property damage: $500
Reported by: AWOS
Coordinates: 46.560, -114.023 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

At 5:35 pm, the Hamilton AWOS reported southerly winds of 41 mph gusting to 49 mph. These damaging gusts caused significant disruption, leading to three separate power outages in the area. At the Hamilton Brewfest, a participant sustained a significant injury when a large tree branch broke and fell onto them. The associated storms also produced dangerous lightning, which ignited at least six new wildfires in the Bitterroot National Forest.

Thunderstorm Wind, Granite

When: July 26, 5:45 PM MST to 6:10 PM MST
Where: Granite County, 9.14 mi WSW of Ravenna
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph) estimated gust
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 46.639, -113.653

A large Cottonwood tree was downed near mile-marker 27 on Rock Creek Road. The Missoula International Airport(KMSO), recorded peak wind gusts of 60 mph at 1902 and 1909 MDT.

Thunderstorm Wind, Missoula

When: July 26, 7:50 PM MST to 8:40 PM MST
Where: Missoula County, 0.63 mi WSW of Nagos to 1.32 mi WNW of Milltown
Measured: 48 kt (55 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $1,000
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 46.996, -114.182

In East Missoula, a wedding tent was collapsed by the winds. Northwest of the Wye, gusts were estimated to be over 50 mph. The University of Montana campus also sustained damage, with several downed trees, one of which fell onto a roof.

What these are

Strong Wind: Non-thunderstorm winds below high wind criteria that nonetheless caused damage or casualties.
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 Montana in 2025 Every state in 2025 This day in weather history Warnings in Montana, July 2025

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: 1285979, 1286049, 1286086.