Ravalli storm history

Thunderstorm outflow winds marched northward through the Bitterroot Valley, resulting in about 20 utility customers losing power. General gusts were 35 to 45 mph topping out near 50 mph.

The Bitterroot National Forest has issued a safety alert for a debris flow across Forest Road 724 near the East Fork Trailhead. The debris flow occurred within the 2024 Johnson Wildfire burn scar after a short, intense storm dropped a radar-estimated 0.41 inches of rain in just 1…

Multiple debris flows blocked Skalkaho Highway (Highway 38) in three locations. Two slides occurred south of Skalkaho Falls, with an additional flow reported west of the winter gate.

Radar estimated 1.41 inches of rain had fallen over the western portion of the Daly burn scar, located west of Skalkaho Pass. A few days later, a rock slide was reported in the vicinity.

Radar-estimated rainfall of 1.77 inches fell in one and a half hours and triggered a debris flow that covered the East Fork Road, east of Sula, at Mile-marker 4.

Thunderstorm outflow winds were observed, with a radar estimated time of 2:47 pm MDT. Minor structural damage to the Incident Command Post for the Johnson Fire but no injuries.

Gusty outflow occurred throughout the Bitterroot Valley but a localized area from just south of Corvallis to near Quast Lane experienced damaging winds. A few downed trees and numerous downed branches were noted. A peak gusts of 63 mph occurred at Soft Rock RAWS which was support…

A severe storm knocked over several trees along Highway 93 from south of Hamilton through Victor. The Soft Rock mesonet station in Corvallis recorded a gust of 72 mph. The power company reported about 2800 without power.

Thunderstorm winds pushed over a 20 foot tall tree along Eastside Highway.

A weather station at the Stevensville Airport reported the gust to 66 mph originating out of the northwest. Multiple power line and pole issues were reported in the northern Ravalli County due to the winds. It appears that the Stevensville area was the furthest south extent of th…

The Ravalli County Sheriff's Office reported U.S. Highway 93 south of Hamilton between mile marker 38 and mile marker 39 was closed due to downed power lines.

Reports of large trees down near Lolo Pass were received. Radar velocity data indicated winds over 60 mph.

A lightning caused fire consumed hay stored for winter cattle feeding at the Double K Ranch. More than 400 bales each weighting 1000 pounds were lost, which is a year's worth of feed for this ranch. Fencing was also lost in the fire.

Fields were flooded east of Victor near the Home Acres Road area. The radar estimated rainfall showed 2.60 inches fell in only 1.5 hours.

Although the largest public report of hail was 3/4 on Deer Mountain east of Darby, MT, radar did estimate 1.25 hail with a reflectivity core of 70 dbz at 33,000 feet.

A member of the public reported 1 inch hail near Corvalis.

Local reports between Stevensville and Florence, MT varied between 1 to 1.50 for hail size, with damage to cars, trees, and at least one garden. Damage to trees, and a barn blown over in Stevensville, suggested estimated wind gusts to near 70 mph emanating from the storm.

A person from Conner mentioned that quarter size hail ruined their garden.

A report of 1 diameter hail was received just east of Sula, MT.

Several reports of 1.00 inch hail.

A local apple orchard owner reported that 'a massive amount of flood water', overflowed the Bitterroot irrigation canal after heavy rain. This flood water carved 18 ditches through about 3 rows of his orchard. In addition, hail shredded some leaves of trees and strong winds toppl…

A strong thunderstorm dropped large hail on U.S. Highway 93 between Conner and Sula. Quarter to half dollar size hail was reported near Sula, MT.

Swollen small streams brought flooding to fields and low-lying areas in the Bitterroot Valley. A few homes were surrounded by water and reported water in basements. Local and county roads, along with a small section of Eastside Highway north of Stevensville, experienced water flo…

Ping-pong-sized hail was reported in Victor as a thunderstorm moved off the Bitterroot divide and into the valley.

Quarter to ping-pong-sized hail was reported in Hamilton. Quarter-sized hail was also reported in Corvallis.

Hail stones from penny to nickle size still on the ground a day after the thunderstorm passed through. Minor damage to tree leaves and plants also noted.

Hail drifted up to two feet deep off of roofs with some minor vegetation damage.

This storm produced enough hail to cover the ground several inches in the Hamilton area. There were multiple reports of one inch hail. A lady reported that she would have to replace her roof due to the hail damage. She remarked that she knew of several others who had to get their…

Hailstones reported varied from marble up to ping pong size during the storm.

The Bitterroot River reached minor flood stage causing the Spring Gulch campground and low lying areas adjacent to the river to flood.

With both the Bitterroot River and Burnt Fork Creek running high, damage to the Lee Metcalf Wildlife Refuge and Whitetail Golf Course occurred. Much of the damage included scouring of pavement in these areas.

The Bitterroot River near Missoula reached minor flood stage which caused field flooding on the east side of Highway 93 both north and south of Lolo. Ground water adjacent to the Bitterroot River flooded the Linda Vista Golf course and nearby homeowner's backyards.

Multiple trees fell due to the severe wind in the Florence area with up to 6 inch diameter bases. One large tree fell onto a house and broke the sky light. Another tree hit a power line on Ambrose Creek causing a fire. Over three thousand customers were without power for four hou…

The heavy rain had widespread impacts in Ravalli county. RAWS sensors reported between 1 to 3 inches overnight from June 12 to June 13, with Gird Point RAWS receiving 3.67 inches over the 2-day event. Spotters reported water flowing over driveways and local roads near Stevensvill…

A RAWS station east of Sula recorded 66 mph winds.

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.

An NWS Employee reported extensive ponding in fields and near property in Corvallis, MT. The exceptionally high amount of valley snow-pack allowed for periods of moderate rain combined with relatively warm temperatures to cause unusually extensive areal flooding on Feb. 9 & 10.

Penny size hail reported on the south side of the Roaring Lion Fire.

A trained spotter estimated that some hailstones were bigger than quarters.

A co-workers friend reports quarter size hail.

NWS employee reports quarter size hail.

A fence with 5 x 5 inch posts was blown down. Wind estimates near 60 mph.

Trained spotter estimated 59 mph wind gust. A person from the public on Facebook estimated wind gusts were over 65 mph in Darby.

A person from the public reported persistent rain and hail between 6:30pm to 7:30pm. They estimated the largest hail were quarter size.

A person from the public reported 0.50 of rainfall that fell in 15 minutes. A person from Florence measured 0.74 that fell in 15 minutes as well.

A person from the public reported dime to nickel size hail along with heavy rain. Pea-size hail was reported in Philipsburg.