Hail history for Powell County, MT

Powell County has 65 recorded hail events in the NOAA Storm Events Database — 34 of them 1″ or larger and 1 at 2″ or larger. The largest on record: 2.0″ (hen egg) on June 29, 1982.

Records 1950–present Data through April 2026 Peak month July

Core sample · every recorded event, 1955–2026

Mark size = measured hail diameter; slivers are events with no recorded size. Amber ≥2″, red ≥2.75″ (baseball class). Denser recent decades partly reflect better reporting, not only more storms.

Recorded events 65 since 1982

1″ or larger 34 NWS severe threshold

2″ or larger 1 hen egg class and up

Largest recorded 2.0″ hen egg · June 29, 1982

Read the record honestly: Storm Events contains what was reported to the National Weather Service. Sparse or rural counties under-report, and coverage improved sharply after the mid-1990s — a quiet-looking stretch is not proof nothing fell.

When it hails in Powell County

Recorded events by month, 1950–present. The amber bar marks Powell County's peak: July.

Most recent recorded events

Latest 8 of 65 recorded events · data through April 2026
Date	Size	Comparable to
May 22, 2023	1.0″	Quarter
July 9, 2022	0.88″	Nickel
July 8, 2022	1.2″	Half dollar
July 7, 2022	0.88″	Nickel
July 21, 2021	1.0″	Quarter
July 14, 2019	1.5″	Ping-pong ball
July 13, 2019	1.25″	Half dollar
July 27, 2018	1.5″	Ping-pong ball

Looking for a specific storm? Use the did-it-hail date lookup for Powell County.

From the storm reports

Narratives as filed with the NOAA Storm Events Database (public records; lightly trimmed for length).

May 22, 2023 · 1.0″ (quarter)

Radar signatures suggested the presence of severe hail. A report was received from a trained weather spotter of quarter size hail 5 miles west northwest of Helmville.

July 4, 2008 · 1.75″ (golf ball)

Public reported 1.75 inch hail 1 mile east of Jens along Interstate 90.

May 10, 2007 · 1.75″ (golf ball)

A member of the public reported hail stones that that were between quarter and golfball in size. Damage to a couple of cars was observed.

Events by decade

1950s	1960s	1970s	1980s	1990s	2000s	2010s	2020s
0	0	0	3	21	19	17	5

The climb across decades is largely a reporting story: spotter networks, radar, and digital filing pulled far more storms into the record after the 1990s.

Questions about hail in Powell County

Has it ever hailed in Powell County?

Yes — 65 hail events have been recorded for Powell County, MT in the NOAA Storm Events Database since 1982, including 34 of 1″ (quarter size) or larger.

When did it last hail in Powell County?

The most recent recorded hail event for Powell County, MT is May 22, 2023, with 1.0″ (quarter) hail. The database is currently updated through April 2026, so a storm from the last few weeks may not appear yet. To check a specific day, use the did-it-hail date lookup.

What is the largest hail ever recorded in Powell County?

2.0″ (hen egg), recorded on June 29, 1982. Hail that size meets or exceeds the National Weather Service severe threshold. See how big that really is on the actual-size hail chart.

Does a recorded hail event mean my roof was damaged?

No. This page reports storm records, not damage. Hail size and damage vary block by block within a county, and only an inspection can establish what happened to a specific roof. If you suspect damage, talk to your insurer or a licensed roofer — they can pull the same NOAA records for your claim.

More Montana hail history

All 56 Montana counties, ranked by recorded hail →

Source: NOAA/NCEI Storm Events Database, public domain, updated monthly by NCEI — this site's copy runs through April 2026. HailHistory reports records; it does not give insurance advice or assess damage.