White Sulphur Springs, MT Hail Storm – July 2026

White Sulphur Springs, MT recorded hail on July 25, 2026. The multi-zone aggregate storm produced peak hail of 1.87 inches and generated five NWS alerts before concluding in the early evening.

What Happened

The event moved through the White Sulphur Springs warning area from mid-afternoon into early evening. Five alerts were issued for the aggregated storm sequence:

• July 25 · 3:39 PM MDT (21:39 UTC) – 1.16-inch hail — radar-detected (dual-polarization).
• July 25 · 4:45 PM MDT (22:45 UTC) – 0.75-inch hail — NWS warning only.
• July 25 · 6:23 PM MDT (00:23 UTC) – 1.13-inch hail — radar-detected (dual-polarization).
• July 25 · 6:48 PM MDT (00:48 UTC) – 1.00-inch hail — NWS warning only.
• July 25 · 7:56 PM MDT (01:56 UTC) – 0.75-inch hail — NWS warning only.

Two radar-detected reports provide location-specific hail returns during the event. The other three alerts were issued as part of NWS warning polygons that covered broader portions of the county. The storm is concluded.

Damage Assessment

Local reports and the alert sequence show hail across a range of sizes within the warning area. Smaller reports around 0.75 inch are consistent with surface impacts that often cause cosmetic damage to vehicle paint, puncture soft garden plants, and leave minor scuffs on lawn furniture in affected yards.

Reports at and above 1.0 inch in the warning area correspond with more substantial surface effects. Expect asphalt shingle granule loss, denting of vehicle body panels and metal roof components, and possible cracking of exposed skylights and thin-sheet metal features on outbuildings. Where radar returns matched populated corridors, prioritize inspections of parked vehicles and visible roof runs for granule accumulation and punctures. Roofing underlayment and older composite shingles are more likely to show accelerated wear in areas that recorded larger hail returns.

What Contractors Should Know

Conduct a rapid visual triage along the mapped warning corridor. Photograph hail damage with scale references and geotag when possible. Log the time and location of each inspection using local time. Start with emergency measures: tarp large roof breaches, document temporary repairs, and secure loose roofing materials to prevent further water intrusion. Prioritize inspections for skylights, vents, soffits, and HVAC units that are exposed to direct hail impact.

For claims and repair planning, separate cosmetic vehicle and minor siding damage from structural roof damage in your reports. Note the source of size information for each location — radar-detected return, NWS warning polygon, or field observation. Use conservative repair estimates where hail size returns exceed one inch and where multiple alerts overlapped the same neighborhoods.