Jordan, MT Hail Storm – August 2026

Jordan, MT experienced a late-afternoon hail event on August 18, 2026. The storm produced multiple radar-detected hail cores across the metro and concluded in the early evening.

What Happened

NWS issued 12 alerts for the Jordan, MT area between 1:20 PM MDT and 6:57 PM MDT on August 18. Most alerts were driven by dual-polarization radar and NEXRAD hail detection. The alert sequence began with radar-derived hail signatures at 1:20 PM MDT and continued through a series of radar updates in the mid-afternoon. Notable radar-detected alerts occurred around 2:28 PM MDT and again near 3:04 PM MDT, with strong hail cores evident in the metro radar returns. The final advisory at 6:57 PM MDT was an NWS warning only alert covering a late-evening cell as the system weakened.

Timing: the event initiated in the mid-afternoon, intensified around mid-to-late afternoon, and wound down into the early evening. The alert timeline shows repeated radar returns over the same corridors inside the NWS warning area, indicating multiple hail cores moved through Jordan's metro. Local NWS warning polygons were active intermittently as radar detections shifted and re-focused on new cores.

Damage Assessment

Observed hail sizes ranged from sub-inch stones reported on later warnings to multi-inch stones during peak radar cores. Hail in the larger category observed on radar is consistent with pavement and vehicle panel damage. Roofing materials with older or weathered shingles are at higher risk of granule loss, bruising, and cracked shingles where impacts were concentrated. Large hail cores that passed over populated parts of the metro carry a realistic risk of dented metal, broken skylights, and damaged exterior equipment.

Exposure was concentrated along the storm’s path through Jordan’s metro during the mid-to-late afternoon surge of activity. Property owners in the NWS warning area should inspect vehicle fleets, metal roofing, and exposed HVAC units for impact marks and wash away loose granules before making repair decisions.

What Contractors Should Know

Conduct an initial exterior assessment before committing crews to rooftop work. Prioritize documented photographic surveys of vehicle fleets, roofs, and exterior mechanical equipment. Focus on north- and west-facing surfaces first where wind and storm motion commonly concentrate impacts. For roofing, look for granule loss, soft spots, split or fractured shingles, and nails displaced by impact. Record location, date, and time for every image and note proximity to the NWS warning area polygon.

Safety and documentation protocols reduce liability and speed claims. Use ground-based inspections to identify probable damage clusters. When scheduling crews, stage materials and tarps off-site until a documented scope is completed. Coordinate with property owners on temporary tarping and obtaining insurance claim numbers. Consider ordering the Strike Map before a full field mobilization to align repair teams with the precise hail track.