Grass Range, MT Hail Storm – August 2025

Grass Range, MT saw a concluded hail event on August 5, 2025, with a maximum confirmed hail size of 1 inch. Two NWS alert areas covered the storm during the early morning hours.

What Happened

The first alert was issued at 5:11 AM MDT, with dual-polarization radar confidence for 1-inch hail. A second alert followed at 5:26 AM MDT with the same 1-inch hail threat. Both alerts placed Grass Range in the warning area during a short, concentrated early morning storm sequence.

The event remained consistent across the two alert periods. Radar-derived hail signals held at the 1-inch mark, and no larger confirmed hail size was reported in the data provided. The storm has since concluded.

Damage Assessment

One-inch hail is large enough to break windows, dent vehicles, and damage roof coverings, siding, gutters, and soft metals. The field impact often varies block by block, especially where hail fell in the strongest core of the storm.

For homes, roof hits can show up as granular loss, cracked shingles, and localized flashing damage. For vehicles, visible dents can be scattered or concentrated depending on how long the hail core remained over one site. Outbuildings, farm equipment, and exposed plastics are also common inspection targets after a hail event of this size.

This was a multi-zone storm report, so damage checks should focus on roofs, south- and west-facing trim, skylights, gutters, siding, and parked equipment in the alert area. Crews working the area should expect a limited but real hail footprint tied to the short warning window.

What Contractors Should Know

Start with exterior inspections in the early hours after the event, then move to roof-level checks once access is safe and dry. Document impact marks on shingles, soft metals, vents, and window screens before any temporary repair work begins. Use clear photo sets with date stamps and address notes. Look for bruising on asphalt shingles, exposed mat fibers, creased ridge caps, and impacts on ridge vents and pipe collars.

Prioritize the strongest-hit structures first. In a compact hail event like this, the most useful leads usually come from roof surfaces, window lines, and vehicles parked in the open. Check metal roofs for dings, test gutters and downspouts for deformation, and review fences, sheds, and agricultural structures for impact patterns that match the hail size. Keep scopes narrow and tied to the local storm timing.

For claim support, pair site photos with the local alert timing and hail size. Roofs that showed 1-inch hail exposure may still vary in repair need depending on age, slope, and material condition. A detailed first pass can separate cosmetic impact from work that needs prompt mitigation.

Use the Strike Map for precise hail track data in Grass Range, MT.