Three Forks, MT Hail Storm – July 2026

Three Forks, MT experienced radar-detected hail on July 8, 2026, producing a maximum size of 1.05 inches in a brief late-afternoon severe thunderstorm. The event concluded after a single NWS severe thunderstorm warning.

What Happened

The storm formed in the late afternoon and moved northeast through the Three Forks metro area. The National Weather Service issued a severe thunderstorm warning at 3:54 PM MDT (21:54 UTC) based on dual-polarization NEXRAD hail detection. The NWS alert covered a single warning area for the event. Radar-derived hail signatures triggered the warning and indicated a concentrated hail swath through the immediate Three Forks vicinity. No subsequent NWS alerts followed and the storm was classified as concluded.

Damage Assessment

Hail near one inch in diameter commonly produces vehicle body dents and can bruise or displace asphalt roofing granules. For the Three Forks event, the radar-detected 1.05-inch peak size puts exposed vehicle panels, soft metal roofing, and older asphalt shingles at higher risk of cosmetic and functional damage within the mapped hail swath. Thinner glass items such as patio furniture or unreinforced skylights are vulnerable to cracking. Metal gutters and HVAC external units can show dents that lead to water management or airflow issues over time.

The NWS warning relied on radar hail detection; there were no spotter-verified damage reports included in the public alert. Field inspections in the days after the event remain the definitive method to document actual losses in specific Three Forks addresses. Photographic records tied to location will be necessary for claims that reference this radar-detected hail event.

What Contractors Should Know

Prioritize a rapid visual inspection of roofs, vehicles, solar arrays, and external mechanical equipment within the Three Forks warning area. Look for rounded dents in vehicle panels, displaced or missing asphalt granules, cracked or scored solar glass, and dents in metal flashings and gutters. Capture time-stamped, geotagged photos of representative damage and undamaged control areas. Note roofing age and material type in every report.

Prepare estimates that separate cosmetic versus functional damage. For shingle surfaces, document granule loss patterns and exposed matting. For HVAC and metal components, document dents that could affect drainage or airflow and recommend temporary protection only where it prevents further exposure. Include the radar-detected hail size and the warning time (3:54 PM MDT) in contractor reports and insurance submissions to link field findings to the event.

See the paid Strike Map for the precise hail track and mapped damage zone.