Special Weather Statement

FROM: NWS Great Falls MT
AREA: Little Belt and Highwood Mountains; Big Belt, Bridger and Castle Mountains; Meagher County Valleys; Canyon Ferry Area
SENT: 2026-07-05T17:29:00-06:00

Special Weather Statement issued July 5 at 5:29PM MDT by NWS Great Falls MT

At 528 PM MDT, Doppler radar was tracking strong thunderstorms along
a line extending from 11 miles northeast of White Sulphur Springs to
11 miles northeast of Townsend. Movement was northeast at 20 mph.

HAZARD…Heavy downpours, wind gusts up to 50 mph, and half inch
hail.

SOURCE…Radar indicated.

IMPACT…Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects. Minor hail damage to vegetation is
possible.

Locations impacted include…
White Sulphur Springs, Checkerboard, and Newlan Creek Reservoir.

Torrential rainfall is also occurring with these storms and may lead
to localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded
roadways.

Frequent cloud to ground lightning is occurring with these storms.
Lightning can strike 10 miles away from a thunderstorm. Seek a safe
shelter inside a building or vehicle.

Alert Expiration: 2026-07-05T18:15:00-06:00