Hail — Ravalli, Montana

2017-05-06 · near Sula, Ravalli, Montana

Event narrative

Resident reported mostly nickel-sized hailstones, with a few quarter-sized hailstones mixed in. No evidence of damage to property was seen. Resident estimated wind speeds with the storm outflow at 40 to 50 mph. Frequent lightning was also reported.

Wider weather episode

One isolated severe thunderstorm tracked NE from Lost Trail to Georgetown Lake to Garrison to Elliston and eventually Great Falls. Strong shear and modest instability allowed for the storm to maintain its structure and become a long-tracked super cell. Both wind and hail damage were reported throughout the track, with one fatality blamed on the storm as a wind gust blew over a tree onto a woman near Elliston.

View location on OpenStreetMap → (45.8848, -113.8479)

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 699713. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.