Hail and Damaging Winds in Montana, May 28, 2026

Name: Hail and Damaging Winds in Montana, May 28, 2026
Start: 2026-05-28T16:21
End: 2026-05-28T22:10
Location: Montana

May 28, 2026 · NWS MSO · 6 events in 3 counties and zones

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: $8,000
Crop damage: None recorded
Events: 6

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.

A highly unstable environment developed across western Montana, fueled by pooling moisture and steep lapse rates. Shortwave energy rotating around a broader upper-level trough provided the necessary lift for convective initiation which resulted in large hail. As storms moved into the Idaho Panhandle and interacted with the local terrain, they organized into two distinct quasi-linear convective systems, producing widespread severe wind gusts across Lincoln and Flathead Counties.

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 Missoula, MT wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at May 28, 12:57 PM MST, 3 hours 24 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, May 28, 12:57 PM MST, 3 hours 24 minutes before

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Missoula MT
157 PM MDT Thu May 28 2026

.DISCUSSION...

KEY MESSAGES:

- Warm temperatures and showers/thunderstorms with a few strong
  storms this afternoon, especially across northwest Montana and
  through north central Idaho

- Prolonged heavy rainfall this weekend in western Montana,
  elevating risks for hydrologic responses and rockfalls
  especially near and along the Continental Divide.

- High elevation snowfall on Saturday night into Monday could
  create difficult backcountry conditions.

This Afternoon/Evening:

This afternoon will bring the warmest temperatures of the week,
with valley highs climbing into the upper 80s to near 90 degrees
across western Montana and north-central Idaho. Similar to
yesterday, thunderstorms will develop by early afternoon and track
northwestward. Activity will focus primarily from the Bitterroot
Valley northward and across north-central Idaho, including the
Camas Prairie. A few stronger storms could produce erratic wind
gusts, brief heavy downpours, and small hail. Meanwhile, elevated
fire weather concerns persist across southwest Montana this
afternoon, particularly south of Dillon due to gusty winds and
relative humidity dropping into the teens.

Friday:

The weather pattern shifts significantly on Friday as an incoming
Pacific low-pressure system brings a band of heavy rain. South to
north moving showers and storms will bring localized heavy rain
and the potential for gusty winds and hail once again. Storms may
train over parts of the region particularly the US-12 and US-95
corridors in Idaho, thus localized flash flooding is a concern.

Saturday through Monday:

By Saturday, the low-pressure system is projected to settle near
the Yellowstone region, placing western Montana within a robust
deformation zone. Tapping into anomalous moisture, this setup
will trigger a prolonged, highly efficient rainfall event into at
least Monday.

- Hydrologic & Terrain Impacts: Saturated soils from recent rains
  combined with ongoing high-elevation snowmelt will elevate the
  risk for significant rises on rivers and streams, as well as
  rockfalls in steep canyon terrain.

- Precipitation Totals: The heaviest totals are forecast near the
  Continental Divide, where there is a 70 to 90 percent chance of
  exceeding 1 inch of rain, with localized amounts of 2 to 4
  inches possible.

- Snow Levels & Backcountry: Sharp cooling aloft will cause snow
  levels to drop to around 6,000 feet along the Continental Divide
  by Sunday morning. Backcountry users should prepare for raw,
  winter-like conditions and difficult travel.

Extended Outlook:

Looking further ahead, ensemble clusters favor a quick transition
back to building high pressure and above- normal temperatures by
mid-next week, offering a reprieve from this weekend's wet
pattern.

&&

.AVIATION...VFR conditions will prevail across western Montana and
north-central Idaho terminals this afternoon, though valley
temperatures approaching 90F will contribute to elevated density
altitude. Scattered afternoon and evening thunderstorms will focus
from the Bitterroot Valley northward and across north-central
Idaho, with high-resolution models maintaining coverage trends
similar to yesterday. Any developing convective cells could
produce short- lived, localized MVFR/IFR conditions due to heavy
downpours and low ceilings, alongside erratic outflow wind gusts,
hail, and mountain obscurations. Outside of convective activity,
terminals in southwest Montana and Lemhi County (including KBTM
and KSMN) will experience breezy southeasterly surface winds this
afternoon. Patchy fog and low stratus may develop Friday morning
in areas that receive rain this evening, ahead of another
widespread round of showers and thunderstorms Friday afternoon.

&&

.MSO WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
MT...None.
ID...None.
&&

In the hours before

Special weather statement, May 28, 2:54 PM MST, 1 hour 27 minutes before

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Missoula MT
354 PM MDT Thu May 28 2026

IDZ008-282230-
Lower Hells Canyon/Salmon River Region ID-
254 PM PDT Thu May 28 2026

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT WEST CENTRAL IDAHO COUNTY UNTIL
330 PM PDT...

At 254 PM PDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 10
miles north of Riggins, or 26 miles south of Grangeville, moving
northwest at 20 mph.

HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 40 mph and pea size hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
         unsecured objects. Minor damage to outdoor objects is
         possible.

Locations impacted include...
  Lucile and Slate Creek.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Monitor the weather situation closely and be alert for threatening
weather conditions.

&&

LAT...LON 4546 11626 4552 11654 4555 11653 4556 11651
      4558 11648 4559 11648 4560 11646 4561 11646
      4565 11649 4568 11653 4570 11654 4573 11654
      4575 11655 4578 11659 4579 11658 4566 11623
TIME...MOT...LOC 2154Z 115DEG 19KT 4556 11631

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH

Special weather statement, May 28, 3:14 PM MST, 1 hour 7 minutes before

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Missoula MT
414 PM MDT Thu May 28 2026

MTZ007-043-282245-
Butte/Blackfoot Region MT-Potomac/Seeley Lake Region MT-
414 PM MDT Thu May 28 2026

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT WEST CENTRAL POWELL AND EAST
CENTRAL MISSOULA COUNTIES UNTIL 445 PM MDT...

At 414 PM MDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 11
miles southeast of Ovando, or 18 miles north of Drummond, moving
northwest at 20 mph.

HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 40 mph and half inch size hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
         unsecured objects. Minor damage to outdoor objects is
         possible.

Locations impacted include...
  Ovando, Woodworth and Clearwater.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Monitor the weather situation closely and be alert for threatening
weather conditions.

&&

LAT...LON 4694 11330 4703 11349 4722 11324 4694 11288
      4681 11304
TIME...MOT...LOC 2214Z 132DEG 19KT 4691 11302

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.50 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH

Special weather statement, May 28, 3:44 PM MST, 37 minutes before

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Missoula MT
444 PM MDT Thu May 28 2026

MTZ007-282315-
Butte/Blackfoot Region MT-
444 PM MDT Thu May 28 2026

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT CENTRAL POWELL COUNTY UNTIL 515
PM MDT...

At 444 PM MDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 13
miles southeast of Ovando, or 21 miles northeast of Drummond, moving
northwest at 15 mph.

HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 40 mph and pea size hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
         unsecured objects. Minor damage to outdoor objects is
         possible.

Locations impacted include...
  Ovando and Helmville.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Monitor the weather situation closely and be alert for threatening
weather conditions.

Torrential rainfall is also occurring with this storm and may lead to
flash flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded roadways.

&&

LAT...LON 4693 11280 4681 11300 4700 11329 4718 11299
      4718 11298
TIME...MOT...LOC 2244Z 141DEG 11KT 4693 11292

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH

Special weather statement, May 28, 3:46 PM MST, 35 minutes before

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Missoula MT
446 PM MDT Thu May 28 2026

MTZ006-043-282315-
Bitterroot/Sapphire Mountains MT-Potomac/Seeley Lake Region MT-
446 PM MDT Thu May 28 2026

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT SOUTH CENTRAL MISSOULA...
NORTHEASTERN RAVALLI AND NORTHWESTERN GRANITE COUNTIES UNTIL 515 PM
MDT...

At 446 PM MDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 14
miles southeast of Bonner-West Riverside, or 18 miles southeast of
Missoula, moving north at 10 mph.

HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 40 mph and pea size hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
         unsecured objects. Minor damage to outdoor objects is
         possible.

Locations impacted include...
  Clinton and Turah.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Monitor the weather situation closely and be alert for threatening
weather conditions.

Torrential rainfall is also occurring with this storm and may lead to
flash flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded roadways.

&&

LAT...LON 4670 11362 4667 11361 4662 11381 4681 11396
      4687 11366
TIME...MOT...LOC 2246Z 161DEG 10KT 4669 11376

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH

Special weather statement, May 28, 3:59 PM MST, 22 minutes before

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Missoula MT
459 PM MDT Thu May 28 2026

IDZ006-008-282330-
Lower Hells Canyon/Salmon River Region ID-Southern Clearwater
Mountains ID-
359 PM PDT Thu May 28 2026

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT WEST CENTRAL IDAHO COUNTY UNTIL
430 PM PDT...

At 359 PM PDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 9
miles southeast of White Bird, or 19 miles south of Grangeville,
moving northwest at 30 mph.

HAZARD...Pea size hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Minor damage to outdoor objects is possible.

Locations impacted include...
  White Bird, Slate Creek and Copperville.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Monitor the weather situation closely and be alert for threatening
weather conditions.

&&

LAT...LON 4556 11625 4566 11649 4587 11634 4565 11598
      4552 11614
TIME...MOT...LOC 2259Z 124DEG 25KT 4566 11621

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...<30 MPH

Special weather statement, May 28, 4:16 PM MST, 5 minutes before

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Missoula MT
516 PM MDT Thu May 28 2026

MTZ006-043-282345-
Bitterroot/Sapphire Mountains MT-Potomac/Seeley Lake Region MT-
516 PM MDT Thu May 28 2026

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT SOUTH CENTRAL MISSOULA COUNTY
UNTIL 545 PM MDT...

At 516 PM MDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 7
miles southeast of Bonner-West Riverside, or 12 miles southeast of
Missoula, moving north at 15 mph.

HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 40 mph and pea size hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
         unsecured objects. Minor damage to outdoor objects is
         possible.

Locations impacted include...
  Bonner-West Riverside, East Missoula, Turah, Clinton and Twin
  Creeks.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Monitor the weather situation closely and be alert for threatening
weather conditions.

Torrential rainfall is also occurring with this storm and may lead to
flash flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded roadways.

&&

LAT...LON 4685 11394 4689 11395 4690 11394 4693 11368
      4675 11369 4673 11390
TIME...MOT...LOC 2316Z 174DEG 12KT 4679 11381

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH

The radar

The Missoula radar (KMSX), 141 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 23:18 UTC.

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

4 hail, 2 thunderstorm wind. Local standard time, as filed.

Hail, Flathead

When: May 28, 4:21 PM MST to 4:42 PM MST
Where: Flathead County, 5.39 mi SSE of Martin City to 1.07 mi ESE of Conkelley
Measured: 0.88 in hail
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 48.310, -113.979

Hail, Flathead

When: May 28, 5:10 PM MST to 5:20 PM MST
Where: Flathead County, 1.06 mi ENE of Evergreen to 1.82 mi N of Evergreen
Measured: 1.25 in hail
Property damage: $1,000
Reported by: Social Media
Coordinates: 48.226, -114.249

Multiple photos of oblong hail placed on top of a ruler were shared on Facebook. Another person who lives south of MT-83 reported that they lost their greenhouse and their patio furniture went flying across the patio.

Hail, Flathead

When: May 28, 5:24 PM MST to 5:36 PM MST
Where: Flathead County, 1.4 mi WSW of Kalispell City Arpt to 1.96 mi W of Kalispell
Measured: 1.25 in hail
Reported by: Social Media
Coordinates: 48.172, -114.328

A person located one mile west of Kalispell posted a photo with multiple hailstones placed on a ruler. This thunderstorm quickly developed severe hail within 15 minutes of forming south of Kalispell.

Hail, Missoula

When: May 28, 5:47 PM MST to 6:09 PM MST
Where: Missoula County, 5.09 mi SW of Clinton Eliott Arpt to 1.03 mi W of Clinton
Measured: 1 in hail
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 46.672, -113.736

Thunderstorm Wind, Lincoln

When: May 28, 9:00 PM MST to 9:45 PM MST
Where: Lincoln County, 5.83 mi SW of Kootenai Falls to 0.39 mi ENE of Yakt
Measured: 65 kt (75 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $5,000
Reported by: Department of Highways
Coordinates: 48.359, -115.837

A quasi-linear convective system produced widespread wind damage across the county. Fallen trees blocked Highway 2 northwest of Troy, while snapped large cottonwoods caused minor damage to a carport on Missoula Avenue. Severe blowdown forced the closure of Callahan Creek Park disc golf course, and utility damage left 1,440 customers without power.

Thunderstorm Wind, Flathead

When: May 28, 9:10 PM MST to 10:10 PM MST
Where: Flathead County, 25.03 mi SSE of Java to 0.8 mi WNW of Apgar
Measured: 50 kt (58 mph) estimated gust
Property damage: $2,000
Reported by: Utility Company
Coordinates: 47.900, -113.440

Around 2,260 customers were without power as a line of thunderstorms tracked northwards from Spotted Bear Lookout north to Glacier National Park. Also to mention, there was a storm that brought a downed tree near State Park Road in Whitefish around 1739MST on May 29, and resulted in 990 customers without power for a period of time.

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 Montana in 2026 Every state in 2026 This day in weather history Warnings in Montana, May 2026

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: 1329760, 1329762, 1329763, 1329761, 1329765, 1329764.