Billings hail storm history
Yellowstone County·NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database·~75-day publication lag
Billings sits on Montana's high plains in the Yellowstone River valley, a geographic corridor that experiences regular hail activity. The city's location between the Rocky Mountains and the High Plains creates conditions favorable for hail-producing storms, particularly when upper-level atmospheric disturbances interact with terrain features to trigger convective development.
Check if your roof was damaged by recent hail
Hail events in Billings peak during June and July, with secondary activity in May and August. Supercells and multicell storm clusters that form along the mountain front frequently produce large hail as they track east and northeast across Yellowstone County. This seasonal pattern reflects the typical timing of upper-level disturbances that drive convective activity across the northern High Plains.
Annual frequency — last 10 years
When hail hits — monthly pattern
Avg events per month · all years · NOAA data
All recorded hail events
Of 199 recorded events, 73 (37%) reached 1.5" or larger — the threshold for likely functional damage on standard asphalt shingles.
Large hail lasted 10 minutes.
Hail reported by spotter.
Quarter size hail reported between 130 pm and 2pm.
Hail report.
Two and a half inch hail reported.
One and a quarter inch hail reported.
Nickel to quarter size hail fell across the Billings area.
The hail size was mostly dimes but a few were hen egg size.
Broken windows, as well as damage to siding and fences was reported.
Some broken tree limbs were reported on 27th street.
Wooden fence posts were broken and a steel post was bent. Large tree limbs were down and windows in …
Large hail combined with strong winds resulted in significant crop damage.
The hail was reported along Highway 3 north of Billings.
NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information Storm Events Database. Publication lag is approximately 75 days — current-year events may be incomplete.
NOAA Storm Events Database ↗