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    Montana Storm Alerts

    Active National Weather Service hail, wind, thunderstorm, tornado, tropical and winter storm alerts covering Montana, with the counties each one names and the office that issued it — plus what the state’s severe-weather season looks like and how each of these events actually damages a roof.

    Below that, in its own lane, the smoke and fire family: fire weather, dense smoke, air quality, blowing dust and volcanic ashfall.

    15 active alerts · read from the National Weather Service at Oct 10, 7:44 AM EDT · refreshed every 10 minutes

    This page is informational and is not a safety resource. It exists to show roofing professionals where storm damage has been reported, and it is refreshed on a ten-minute cycle, so it can lag the Weather Service.

    During an active weather event, the authority is weather.gov and your local emergency management agency. Follow them, not this page.

    Active storm alerts in Montana

    Reproduced exactly as the National Weather Service issued them. Alerts frequently cross state lines, so a county list may name counties in a neighbouring state. Smoke and fire alerts are reported separately, in their own lane below.

    Winter Storm Warning

    SevereUrgencyExpectedCertaintyLikely

    Issued by NWS Great Falls MT

    In effect from Oct 10, 12:00 PM local · until Oct 12, 6:00 AM local

    Counties named in this alert

    • Southern Rocky Mountain Front
    • Southern High Plains
    • Upper Blackfoot and MacDonald Pass
    • Gates of the Mountains
    Read the full National Weather Service text

    NWS headline

    Winter Storm Warning issued October 10 at 12:32AM MDT until October 12 at 6:00AM MDT by NWS Great Falls MT

    NWS description

    * WHAT...Heavy snow expected. Total snow accumulations between 10 and 20 inches, with the exception of the Lincoln valley where up to 7 inches is expected. Winds gusting as high as 45 mph. * WHERE...Gates of the Mountains, Upper Blackfoot and MacDonald Pass, Southern High Plains, and Southern Rocky Mountain Front. * WHEN...From noon today to 6 AM MDT Monday. * IMPACTS...Travel could be very difficult. Gusty winds combined with the wet and heavy nature of the snow could bring down tree branches. Isolated power outages are possible. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Snowfall amounts will vary drastically from grassy surfaces to roadways, most notably at lower elevations, with accumulations on non-grassy surfaces being confined mainly to between the evening through late morning hours.

    NWS instructions

    If you must travel, keep an extra flashlight, food, and water in your vehicle in case of an emergency. The latest road conditions for the state you are calling from can be obtained by calling 5 1 1.

    View this alert on weather.gov

    Winter Storm Warning

    SevereUrgencyExpectedCertaintyLikely

    Issued by NWS Billings MT

    In effect from Oct 10, 6:00 PM local · until Oct 12, 12:00 PM local

    Counties named in this alert

    • Absaroka/Beartooth Mountains
    • Crazy Mountains
    Read the full National Weather Service text

    NWS headline

    Winter Storm Warning issued October 10 at 12:53AM MDT until October 12 at 12:00PM MDT by NWS Billings MT

    NWS description

    * WHAT...Periods of heavy snow and blowing snow expected. Total snow accumulations between 10 and 18 inches, greatest above 8000 feet. Winds gusting as high as 35 mph. * WHERE...Absaroka/Beartooth Mountains and Crazy Mountains. * WHEN...From 6 PM this evening to noon MDT Monday. * IMPACTS...Recreation in the high country will be impacted by severe winter conditions. Travel into Cooke City will be impacted.

    NWS instructions

    If you are heading to the high country this weekend plan for severe winter conditions. Be sure to inform someone of your plans, in case you have difficulties or become stranded in the winter conditions.

    View this alert on weather.gov

    Winter Storm Warning

    SevereUrgencyExpectedCertaintyLikely

    Issued by NWS Great Falls MT

    In effect from Oct 10, 6:00 PM local · until Oct 12, 6:00 AM local

    Counties named in this alert

    • Big Belt, Bridger and Castle Mountains
    Read the full National Weather Service text

    NWS headline

    Winter Storm Warning issued October 10 at 12:32AM MDT until October 12 at 6:00AM MDT by NWS Great Falls MT

    NWS description

    * WHAT...Heavy snow expected. Total snow accumulations between 6 and 13 inches. Winds gusting as high as 40 mph. * WHERE...Big Belt, Bridger and Castle Mountains. * WHEN...From 6 PM this evening to 6 AM MDT Monday. * IMPACTS...Travel could be very difficult. Gusty winds combined with the wet and heavy nature of the snow could bring down tree branches. Isolated power outages are possible. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Snowfall amounts will vary drastically from grassy surfaces to roadways, most notably at lower elevations, with accumulations on non-grassy surfaces being confined mainly to between the evening through late morning hours.

    NWS instructions

    If you must travel, keep an extra flashlight, food, and water in your vehicle in case of an emergency. The latest road conditions for the state you are calling from can be obtained by calling 5 1 1.

    View this alert on weather.gov

    Winter Storm Warning

    SevereUrgencyExpectedCertaintyLikely

    Issued by NWS Great Falls MT

    In effect from Oct 10, 6:00 PM local · until Oct 12, 6:00 AM local

    Counties named in this alert

    • Little Belt and Highwood Mountains
    • Snowy and Judith Mountains
    • Elkhorn and Boulder Mountains
    Read the full National Weather Service text

    NWS headline

    Winter Storm Warning issued October 10 at 12:32AM MDT until October 12 at 6:00AM MDT by NWS Great Falls MT

    NWS description

    * WHAT...Heavy snow expected. Total snow accumulations between 6 and 14 inches. Winds gusting as high as 40 mph. * WHERE...Elkhorn and Boulder Mountains, Little Belt and Highwood Mountains, and Snowy and Judith Mountains. * WHEN...From 6 PM this evening to 6 AM MDT Monday. * IMPACTS...Travel could be very difficult. Gusty winds combined with the wet and heavy nature of the snow could bring down tree branches. Isolated power outages are possible. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Snowfall amounts will vary drastically from grassy surfaces to roadways, most notably at lower elevations, with accumulations on non-grassy surfaces being confined mainly to between the evening through late morning hours.

    NWS instructions

    If you must travel, keep an extra flashlight, food, and water in your vehicle in case of an emergency. The latest road conditions for the state you are calling from can be obtained by calling 5 1 1.

    View this alert on weather.gov

    Winter Storm Warning

    SevereUrgencyExpectedCertaintyLikely

    Issued by NWS Great Falls MT

    In effect from Oct 10, 6:00 PM local · until Oct 12, 6:00 AM local

    Counties named in this alert

    • Eastern Pondera and Eastern Teton
    • Cascade County below 5000ft
    • Judith Basin County and Judith Gap
    • Meagher County Valleys
    Read the full National Weather Service text

    NWS headline

    Winter Storm Warning issued October 10 at 12:32AM MDT until October 12 at 6:00AM MDT by NWS Great Falls MT

    NWS description

    * WHAT...Heavy snow expected. Total snow accumulations between 5 and 11 inches. Winds gusting as high as 35 mph. * WHERE...Meagher County Valleys, Cascade County below 5000ft, Eastern Pondera and Eastern Teton, and Judith Basin County and Judith Gap. * WHEN...From 6 PM this evening to 6 AM MDT Monday. * IMPACTS...Travel could be very difficult. Gusty winds combined with the wet and heavy nature of the snow could bring down tree branches. Isolated power outages are possible. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Snowfall amounts will vary drastically from grassy surfaces to roadways, most notably at lower elevations, with accumulations on non-grassy surfaces being confined mainly to between the evening through late morning hours.

    NWS instructions

    If you must travel, keep an extra flashlight, food, and water in your vehicle in case of an emergency. The latest road conditions for the state you are calling from can be obtained by calling 5 1 1.

    View this alert on weather.gov

    Winter Storm Warning

    SevereUrgencyExpectedCertaintyLikely

    Issued by NWS Missoula MT

    In effect from Oct 10, 6:00 PM local · until Oct 12, 6:00 AM local

    Counties named in this alert

    • Butte/Blackfoot Region
    Read the full National Weather Service text

    NWS headline

    Winter Storm Warning issued October 9 at 11:35AM MDT until October 12 at 6:00AM MDT by NWS Missoula MT

    NWS description

    * WHAT...Heavy snow expected. Total snow accumulations between 3 and 9 inches. Winds gusting as high as 45 mph. * WHERE...MacDonald Pass, Georgetown Lake, Highway 12 Garrison to Elliston, Butte, and Homestake Pass. * WHEN...From 6 PM Saturday to 6 AM MDT Monday. * IMPACTS...Travel could be very difficult.

    NWS instructions

    If you must travel, keep an extra flashlight, food, and water in your vehicle in case of an emergency. The latest road conditions for the state you are calling from can be obtained by calling 5 1 1.

    View this alert on weather.gov

    Winter Storm Warning

    SevereUrgencyExpectedCertaintyLikely

    Issued by NWS Billings MT

    In effect from Oct 11, 12:00 AM local · until Oct 12, 12:00 PM local

    Counties named in this alert

    • Melville Foothills
    Read the full National Weather Service text

    NWS headline

    Winter Storm Warning issued October 10 at 12:53AM MDT until October 12 at 12:00PM MDT by NWS Billings MT

    NWS description

    * WHAT...Periods of heavy wet snow and blowing snwo expected. Total snow accumulations between 5 and 10 inches. Winds gusting as high as 35 mph. * WHERE...Melville Foothills. * WHEN...From midnight tonight to noon MDT Monday. * IMPACTS...Travel could be very difficult on local roads and US-191 in the Melville vicinity. The hazardous conditions will impact the Monday morning commute. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Tree and power line damage is possible which may result in power outages.

    NWS instructions

    If you must travel be prepared for severe winter conditions. Keep an extra flashlight, food, and water in your vehicle in case of an emergency. For the latest road conditions, call 5 1 1.

    View this alert on weather.gov

    Winter Storm Watch

    SevereUrgencyPastCertaintyObserved

    Issued by NWS Missoula MT

    In effect from Oct 10, 6:00 PM local · until Oct 11, 6:00 PM local

    Counties named in this alert

    • Butte/Blackfoot Region
    Read the full National Weather Service text

    NWS headline

    The Winter Storm Watch has been replaced. Please see the latest information from NWS Missoula MT on this developing situation.

    NWS description

    The Winter Storm Watch has been replaced. Please see the latest information from NWS Missoula MT on this developing situation.

    NWS instructions

    If you must travel, keep an extra flashlight, food, and water in your vehicle in case of an emergency. The latest road conditions for the state you are calling from can be obtained by calling 5 1 1.

    View this alert on weather.gov

    Special Weather Statement

    ModerateUrgencyExpectedCertaintyObserved

    Issued by NWS Great Falls MT

    In effect from Oct 10, 5:19 AM local · until Oct 10, 7:30 AM local

    Counties named in this alert

    • Madison River Valley
    • Northwest Beaverhead County
    • Beaverhead and Western Madison below 6000ft
    • Ruby Mountains and Southern Beaverhead Mountains
    • Gallatin and Madison County Mountains and Centennial Mountains
    Read the full National Weather Service text

    NWS headline

    Special Weather Statement issued October 10 at 5:19AM MDT by NWS Great Falls MT

    NWS description

    While most showers are not producing gusty winds, a few isolated showers will be capable of producing gusts in excess of 40 mph this morning. Gusty southwest winds will then develop later this morning for most areas, lasting through the afternoon ahead of a cold front arriving late today.

    View this alert on weather.gov

    Wind Advisory

    ModerateUrgencyExpectedCertaintyLikely

    Issued by NWS Missoula MT

    In effect from Oct 10, 6:00 PM local · until Oct 11, 6:00 AM local

    Counties named in this alert

    • Flathead/Mission Valleys
    Read the full National Weather Service text

    NWS headline

    Wind Advisory issued October 9 at 11:38AM MDT until October 11 at 6:00AM MDT by NWS Missoula MT

    NWS description

    * WHAT...For the Lake Wind Advisory, southwest winds 10 to 20 mph with gusts up to 35 mph expected. For the Wind Advisory, northeast winds 15 to 25 mph with gusts up to 40 mph expected. Isolated higher gusts nearing 50 mph will be possible in west to east oriented gaps along Highway 35, including Lake Blaine * WHERE...Flathead/Mission Valleys. * WHEN...For the Lake Wind Advisory, until 9 PM MDT this evening. For the Wind Advisory, from 6 PM Saturday to 6 AM MDT Sunday. * IMPACTS...Gusty winds will blow around unsecured objects. Tree limbs could be blown down and a few power outages may result. Strong winds and rough waves on area lakes will create hazardous conditions for small craft.

    NWS instructions

    Winds this strong can make driving difficult, especially for high profile vehicles. Use extra caution. Secure outdoor objects. Boaters on area lakes should use extra caution since strong winds and rough waves can overturn small craft.

    View this alert on weather.gov

    Winter Weather Advisory

    ModerateUrgencyExpectedCertaintyLikely

    Issued by NWS Great Falls MT

    In effect from Oct 10, 6:00 PM local · until Oct 12, 6:00 AM local

    Counties named in this alert

    • East Glacier Park Region
    • Northern High Plains
    • Eastern Glacier, Western Toole, and Central Pondera
    • Eastern Toole and Liberty
    • Western and Central Chouteau County
    • Bears Paw Mountains and Southern Blaine
    • Fergus County below 4500ft
    Read the full National Weather Service text

    NWS headline

    Winter Weather Advisory issued October 10 at 12:32AM MDT until October 12 at 6:00AM MDT by NWS Great Falls MT

    NWS description

    * WHAT...Snow expected. Total snow accumulations of between 3 to 5 inches across lower elevations, with 5 to 10 inches in the mountains. Locally higher amounts possible. Winds gusting as high as 40 mph. * WHERE...A portion of north central Montana. * WHEN...From 6 PM this evening to 6 AM MDT Monday. * IMPACTS...Travel could be difficult. Gusty winds combined with the wet and heavy nature of the snow could bring down tree branches. Isolated power outages are possible. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Snowfall amounts will vary drastically from grassy surfaces to roadways, most notably at lower elevations, with accumulations on non-grassy surfaces being confined mainly to between the evening through late morning hours.

    NWS instructions

    Slow down and use caution while traveling. The latest road conditions for the state you are calling from can be obtained by calling 5 1 1.

    View this alert on weather.gov

    Winter Weather Advisory

    ModerateUrgencyExpectedCertaintyLikely

    Issued by NWS Great Falls MT

    In effect from Oct 10, 6:00 PM local · until Oct 12, 6:00 AM local

    Counties named in this alert

    • Helena Valley
    • Canyon Ferry Area
    • Missouri Headwaters
    • Madison River Valley
    • Gallatin Valley
    • Northwest Beaverhead County
    • Beaverhead and Western Madison below 6000ft
    • Ruby Mountains and Southern Beaverhead Mountains
    • Gallatin and Madison County Mountains and Centennial Mountains
    Read the full National Weather Service text

    NWS headline

    Winter Weather Advisory issued October 10 at 12:32AM MDT until October 12 at 6:00AM MDT by NWS Great Falls MT

    NWS description

    * WHAT...Snow expected. Total snow accumulations of between 2 to 5 inches across lower elevations, with 5 to 8 inches in the mountains. Locally higher amounts possible. Winds gusting as high as 40 mph. * WHERE...Portions of central and southwest Montana. * WHEN...From 6 PM this evening to 6 AM MDT Monday. * IMPACTS...Travel could be difficult. Gusty winds combined with the wet and heavy nature of the snow could bring down tree branches. Isolated power outages are possible. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Snowfall amounts will vary drastically from grassy surfaces to roadways, most notably at lower elevations, with accumulations on non-grassy surfaces being confined mainly to between the evening through late morning hours.

    NWS instructions

    Slow down and use caution while traveling. The latest road conditions for the state you are calling from can be obtained by calling 5 1 1.

    View this alert on weather.gov

    Winter Weather Advisory

    ModerateUrgencyExpectedCertaintyLikely

    Issued by NWS Missoula MT

    In effect from Oct 10, 6:00 PM local · until Oct 12, 6:00 AM local

    Counties named in this alert

    • Bitterroot/Sapphire Mountains
    • Potomac/Seeley Lake Region
    Read the full National Weather Service text

    NWS headline

    Winter Weather Advisory issued October 9 at 11:35AM MDT until October 12 at 6:00AM MDT by NWS Missoula MT

    NWS description

    * WHAT...Snow expected. Total snow accumulations between 2 and 6 inches. Winds gusting as high as 40 mph. * WHERE...I-90 East Missoula to Bearmouth, Highway 83 Seeley Lake to Condon, Highway 200 Bonner to Greenough, Lolo Pass, and Highway 93 Sula to Lost Trail Pass. * WHEN...From 6 PM Saturday to 6 AM MDT Monday. * IMPACTS...Travel could be very difficult. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Prepare for difficult backcountry travel.

    NWS instructions

    Slow down and use caution while traveling. The latest road conditions for the state you are calling from can be obtained by calling 5 1 1. Be prepared for slippery roads. Slow down and use caution while driving. If you are going outside, watch your first few steps taken on stairs, sidewalks, and driveways. These surfaces could be icy and slippery, increasing your risk of a fall and injury.

    View this alert on weather.gov

    Winter Weather Advisory

    ModerateUrgencyExpectedCertaintyLikely

    Issued by NWS Missoula MT

    In effect from Oct 10, 6:00 PM local · until Oct 12, 6:00 AM local

    Counties named in this alert

    • West Glacier Region
    Read the full National Weather Service text

    NWS headline

    Winter Weather Advisory issued October 9 at 11:35AM MDT until October 12 at 6:00AM MDT by NWS Missoula MT

    NWS description

    * WHAT...Snow expected. Total snow accumulations between 1 and 3 inches, with higher amounts above valley floors and in Glacier National Park. Winds gusting as high as 45 mph. * WHERE...Glacier National Park, Marias Pass, Essex, Polebridge, Bad Rock Canyon, and Highway 83 Bigfork to Swan Lake. * WHEN...From 6 PM Saturday to 6 AM MDT Monday. * IMPACTS...Plan on slippery road conditions. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Prepare for difficult backcountry travel.

    NWS instructions

    Slow down and use caution while traveling. The latest road conditions for the state you are calling from can be obtained by calling 5 1 1.

    View this alert on weather.gov

    Winter Weather Advisory

    ModerateUrgencyExpectedCertaintyLikely

    Issued by NWS Billings MT

    In effect from Oct 11, 12:00 AM local · until Oct 12, 12:00 PM local

    Counties named in this alert

    • Northern Park
    • Judith Gap
    • Livingston Area
    • Beartooth Foothills
    • Northern Sweet Grass
    • Southern Wheatland
    Read the full National Weather Service text

    NWS headline

    Winter Weather Advisory issued October 10 at 12:53AM MDT until October 12 at 12:00PM MDT by NWS Billings MT

    NWS description

    * WHAT...Periods of wet snow and blowing snow expected. Total snow accumulations between 2 and 6 inches. Winds gusting as high as 40 mph. * WHERE...Portions of central and south central Montana. * WHEN...From midnight tonight to noon MDT Monday. * IMPACTS...Travel could be difficult, due to areas of slushy or snowy roads and poor visibility. This includes US-191 from Big Timber to Judith Gap, I-90 from Big Timber to Livingston, and over Bozeman Pass. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Tree and power line damage is possible which may result in power outages.

    NWS instructions

    Slow down and use caution while traveling. For the latest road conditions, call 5 1 1. Be prepared for winter conditions and slick roads. Slow down and use caution while driving. If you are going outside, watch your first few steps taken on stairs, sidewalks, and driveways. These surfaces could be icy and slippery, increasing your risk of a fall and injury.

    View this alert on weather.gov

    Radar over Montana

    Straight from radar.weather.gov and regenerated by NOAA roughly every two minutes.

    NWS radar — the Northern Rockies

    National Weather Service radar for the Northern Rockies, covering Montana, Wyoming, Colorado and Utah.

    Where precipitation is falling over Montana right now. The National Weather Service publishes these mosaics by region rather than by state, so the frame runs past the state line and neighbouring states are visible in it. Radar shows precipitation, not damage — a return over a county is not evidence that any particular building was hit.

    Radar imagery: the National Weather Service. Served directly from radar.weather.gov, a free US Government service, and regenerated by NOAA roughly every two minutes — your browser picks up new frames on its own. This site does not process, re-colour or re-time the imagery; it is the Weather Service’s own mosaic, unmodified. weather.gov

    This radar is informational and is not a safety resource. During an active weather event, the authority is weather.gov and your local emergency management agency. Follow them, not this page.

    Smoke & fire lane

    Smoke & fire alerts in Montana

    The National Weather Service issues a separate family of alerts for fire weather, dense smoke, air quality, blowing dust and volcanic ashfall. This lane reports that family for Montana, kept apart from the storm alerts above because the two answer different questions.

    Wildfire smoke is what drives smoke-damage losses, and it reaches a building through the same vents that keep an attic dry — which is why it belongs on a roofing page at all. Alerts describing particulate already in the air are listed ahead of fire-weather forecasts; that ordering is this lane’s own and is not a Weather Service ranking.

    0 active smoke or fire alerts · read from the National Weather Service at Oct 10, 7:44 AM EDT · refreshed every 10 minutes

    No active smoke or fire alerts

    The National Weather Service has no active fire weather, dense smoke, air quality, blowing dust or volcanic ashfall alerts covering Montana as of this refresh.

    An empty list here is the ordinary reading, not a fault and not a gap in the data. Most of the country carries nothing in this family on most days, and this lane fills itself the moment the Weather Service issues something.

    The 12 alert types this lane reports

    Every one is a National Weather Service product and is listed under the name the Weather Service gives it. Grouping them into families is ours; the names are not.

    Fire weather
    Fire WarningExtreme Fire DangerRed Flag WarningFire Weather Watch
    Dense smoke
    Dense Smoke Advisory
    Air quality
    Air Quality Alert
    Blowing dust
    Blowing Dust WarningDust Storm WarningBlowing Dust AdvisoryDust Advisory
    Volcanic ashfall
    Ashfall WarningAshfall Advisory

    The Weather Service defines each of these products and this site does not attempt to. What any one of them means, and the criteria an office issues it under, are at weather.gov.

    This lane is informational and is not a safety resource. It reports which National Weather Service smoke and fire alerts are active and where, on a ten-minute refresh cycle, so it can lag the Weather Service.

    During an active weather event, the authority is weather.gov and your local emergency management agency. Follow them, not this page.

    Smoke exposure and air quality are health matters, and this page does not address them. It does not tell you whether it is safe to be outdoors or to work, what an air quality index number means for you or for anyone in your household, or what respiratory protection to use. Those questions belong with a clinician and with the agency that issued the alert. The federal air-quality authority is airnow.gov.

    What smoke does to a roof assembly

    An active alert is a record of conditions, not a finding about any building. These are the standing references on the building-assembly side of a smoke or fire loss.

    Severe weather season in Montana

    Peak season

    June–August for thunderstorms, November–March for winter

    Montana’s summer thunderstorms can produce hail and damaging outflow wind, generally as isolated events across a large area rather than as widespread outbreaks. The larger and more consistent roofing concern is winter: heavy snow, deep drifting and the strong downslope chinook winds that come off the Rockies, which can produce sustained non-convective gusts with no storm overhead.

    Seasons describe a pattern, not a schedule. The National Weather Service issues these products year-round, and the live list above is the only authority on what is actually running in Montana right now.

    What NOAA has recorded in Montana

    The archived record, not the live feed. Severe weather logged by the National Centers for Environmental Information over the covered years, split into the events NOAA keys to a county and the events it keys to a forecast zone.

    Between 2016 and 2026, NOAA recorded 4,273 county-level severe-weather events across Montana: 2,379 thunderstorm wind events, 1,854 hail reports, 38 tornadoes, 1 high wind event and 1 strong wind event. Of the 1,854 hail reports carrying a measured size, 1,640 were 1.00 in across or larger.

    A further 6,415 events over the same period were recorded against National Weather Service forecast zones rather than counties — 3,869 high wind events, 1,445 winter storms, 800 heavy snow events, 206 blizzards and 75 strong wind events. A forecast zone is not a county: it can span several or subdivide one, so these are reported here at state level and appear in no county total on this site.

    County-keyed events

    4,273

    2016–2026

    Zone-keyed events

    6,415

    statewide, not county-attributable

    Hail 1.00 in or larger

    1,640

    of 1,854 sized hail reports

    Tornadoes

    38

    in the county record

    Counties with the heaviest record

    Ranked by the number of county-keyed events NOAA recorded, 2016–2026. 56 of Montana’s counties carry a record in this dataset.

    • Yellowstone County310largest hail 3.00 in (Softball+) · peak gust 78 kt (about 90 mph)
    • Valley County294largest hail 4.00 in (Softball+) · peak gust 78 kt (about 90 mph)
    • Cascade County173largest hail 3.00 in (Softball+) · peak gust 76 kt (about 87 mph)
    • Roosevelt County165largest hail 3.50 in (Softball+) · peak gust 90 kt (about 104 mph)
    • Phillips County156largest hail 3.00 in (Softball+) · peak gust 77 kt (about 89 mph)
    • Fergus County153largest hail 2.50 in (Baseball) · peak gust 101 kt (about 116 mph)
    • Rosebud County147largest hail 2.75 in (Softball+) · peak gust 68 kt (about 78 mph)
    • Dawson County141largest hail 4.00 in (Softball+) · peak gust 74 kt (about 85 mph)

    Preliminary — not yet in the permanent archive

    214 further preliminary storm reports have been filed against Montana counties since June 1, 2026. They are counted separately from every archived figure above and are not added to any of them.

    Preliminary reports covering 2026-05-31 onward come from National Weather Service storm reports filed as events occur. They have not yet been through the quality-control review that produces the permanent archive, and individual reports may later be revised, combined or withdrawn.

    County figures and state figures. County figures count events NOAA recorded against a county (hail, thunderstorm wind and tornadoes). High wind, winter storms, ice storms, blizzards, heavy snow, hurricanes and tropical storms are recorded against National Weather Service forecast zones rather than counties, so they are reported at state level instead. Counts reflect events that were observed and reported. NOAA does occasionally record one of those against a county instead. Where it has, the event sits in the county-keyed total above rather than the zone-keyed one — in Montana that applies to high wind events and strong wind events.

    Source. Archived figures come from the NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information Storm Events Database, covering 2016 through May 31, 2026. Reports after that date come from NOAA Storm Prediction Center preliminary storm reports. Both are US Government works in the public domain. This is a record of past weather; the live alert list at the top of this page is the only authority on what is running in Montana now.

    What these storms do to a roof

    The damage mechanisms that matter in Montana, in the order they generate work here.

    Hail

    Hail damages an asphalt shingle in two ways at once. The impact knocks granules off the surface, and it can bruise or fracture the asphalt mat underneath without breaking the surface open. Granules are what shield the asphalt from ultraviolet light, so a roof that has lost them ages faster from that point on. A fractured mat is the reason hail damage is often described as latent: the roof may not leak the week of the storm, and the failure shows up later. On metal panels and metal accessories, hail leaves dents, which raises the separate question of whether the damage is cosmetic or has actually compromised the panel or its coating.

    Straight-line wind

    Wind damage on a shingle roof usually starts as a broken seal rather than a missing shingle. Uplift pressure is highest at the edges — rakes, eaves, ridges and hips — and along any line where the roof plane changes, so that is where tabs lift and the factory sealant strip lets go first. Once the seal is broken, a shingle that still looks fine from the ground is no longer bonded to the course below it and every later wind event works on the same spot. Wind also drives debris, and impact damage from a branch or from another roof’s material is a separate mechanism from uplift.

    Snow load and winter storms

    Winter loads a roof rather than striking it. Accumulated snow is a sustained weight on the structure, and drifting means the load is rarely spread evenly — it piles against ridges, dormers, valleys and the low side of any change in roof height. Melt-and-refreeze adds the second mechanism: heat escaping through the roof melts snow that then refreezes at the cold eave, and the resulting ice can back water up under the covering, which sheds water flowing downhill but not water standing still.

    Why the storm date matters

    Property insurance works from a date of loss — a specific storm on a specific day over a specific area, not a general observation that a roof looks worn. That is why the county list and the effective and expiry times on each alert above are the useful part of this page: they are the National Weather Service’s own record that a given event covered a given county at a given time.

    It also matters because hail damage is frequently latent. A fractured shingle mat can take a long time to become a leak, so the gap between the storm and the discovery can be considerable — and by then, establishing which storm did it is a records question rather than an observation. An alert naming a county is not evidence that any particular building was damaged; it is evidence of what the weather was doing over that county, which is where an assessment starts rather than where it ends.

    Next steps in Montana

    Source: the National Weather Service. Every alert on this page comes from the NWS public alerts feed at api.weather.gov, a free US Government service, and is reproduced as the issuing office wrote it. The office that issued each alert is named on the alert itself.

    This site does not edit, summarise or re-grade Weather Service text. Alerts are filtered into two separate lists — the event types that affect roofs, and the smoke, fire and airborne-particulate family — and each list is sorted. Nothing else is changed, and no alert is moved between the two lists to suit a heading.

    weather.gov