Bighorn, MT Hail Storm – May 2026

Bighorn, MT experienced a concluded hail event on May 13, 2026, producing up to 0.5-inch hail. The storm was brief and prompted a single National Weather Service warning in the late afternoon.

What Happened

The storm moved through the Bighorn area in the late afternoon and early evening on May 13. The National Weather Service issued one warning at 5:17 PM MDT. That warning was recorded as NWS warning only. Radar signatures during the event indicated a localized small-hail signature consistent with a short-lived convective cell over the metro area. The event did not generate multiple warnings or an extended warning polygon. Field reports available to this record did not expand the alert sequence beyond the single warning.

Damage Assessment

Hail this size typically produces minor, surface-level effects. Expect small dents to vehicle sheet metal and light nicks in exposed soft materials. Plant foliage and unprotected garden surfaces may show bruising and leaf scarring. Standard composite roofing and intact siding are unlikely to experience penetrative damage from this magnitude. Older, weathered roofing materials and unsecured exterior equipment can show accelerated wear or cosmetic damage in patches along the storm path.

If you observed hail impact on property in Bighorn, photograph the damage with a visible scale and date stamp. Note the exact location and time for each observation. These records assist triage and help prioritize follow-up inspections where multiple exposures overlap.

What Contractors Should Know

Start with a targeted exterior survey of priority assets. Inspect vehicle fleets, rooftop units, exposed HVAC coils, solar panels, and soft-surface siding. Look for clustered dent patterns and concentrated leaf damage that indicate the main swath of the storm. Photograph each item from multiple angles and include a ruler or common object for scale. Log GPS coordinates and local time for every documented impact to support client records and claims workflows.

Triage inspections by exposure and risk. Schedule immediate checks for older roofs and recent repairs. Reserve full roof lifts for properties showing accumulated impact marks or missing granules on shingles. Coordinate with property owners on temporary mitigation such as tarping or protective covers only when warranted by visible compromise. Use the collected documentation to generate concise inspection reports with photos, locations, and timestamps.

Refer to the Strike Map for precise hail track data and targeted inspection planning.