Hail history for Silver Bow County, MT

Silver Bow County has 43 recorded hail events in the NOAA Storm Events Database — 31 of them 1″ or larger and 2 at 2″ or larger. The largest on record: 2.5″ (tennis ball) on August 6, 2009.

Records 1950–present Data through April 2026 Peak month August

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 43 since 1958

1″ or larger 31 NWS severe threshold

2″ or larger 2 hen egg class and up

Largest recorded 2.5″ tennis ball · August 6, 2009

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 Silver Bow County

Recorded events by month, 1950–present. The amber bar marks Silver Bow County's peak: August.

Most recent recorded events

Latest 8 of 43 recorded events · data through April 2026
Date	Size	Comparable to
August 10, 2019	1.0″	Quarter
August 10, 2019	1.5″	Ping-pong ball
August 10, 2019	1.0″	Quarter
July 30, 2019	1.0″	Quarter
July 16, 2019	1.0″	Quarter
July 10, 2017	1.0″	Quarter
July 10, 2017	1.25″	Half dollar
July 10, 2017	1.0″	Quarter

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

From the storm reports

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

August 10, 2019 · 1.0″ (quarter)

The spotter measured one inch hail in Butte.

August 6, 2009 · 2.5″ (tennis ball)

A member of the public reported 2.5 inch hail to the Silver Bow County Sheriff.

August 6, 2009 · 2.0″ (hen egg)

Extensive hail damage to homes, roofs, and vehicles reported on Green Acres and Continental Drive near Butte. Hail size ranged between 1.75 and two inches in diameter. In addition, wind gusts were estimated up to 70 mph, which caused some tree branches to break.

Events by decade

1950s	1960s	1970s	1980s	1990s	2000s	2010s	2020s
2	0	3	2	3	20	13	0

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 Silver Bow County

Has it ever hailed in Silver Bow County?

Yes — 43 hail events have been recorded for Silver Bow County, MT in the NOAA Storm Events Database since 1958, including 31 of 1″ (quarter size) or larger.

When did it last hail in Silver Bow County?

The most recent recorded hail event for Silver Bow County, MT is August 10, 2019, 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 Silver Bow County?

2.5″ (tennis ball), recorded on August 6, 2009. 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.