Hail reported in Beaverhead County, MT on July 16, 2026: what to check on your roof

1 storm report of 1-inch-plus hail, the largest 1.75 in, from NOAA's Storm Prediction Center

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The NOAA Storm Prediction Center (SPC) received 1 report of hail 1 inch or larger in Beaverhead County, MT on the July 16, 2026 storm day, the largest 1.75 in — golf ball size. The reports are grouped by county because they were not within 10 miles of a city of 10,000 or more. Below are the reports, what hail this size does to a roof, a checklist and the insurance steps.

Storm reports for July 16, 2026

Hail reports, July 16, 2026 (SPC storm day 12:00 UTC to 11:59 UTC)
TimeSizeLocationCountyRemarks
23:32 UTC1.75 in3 SW Wise RiverBeaverhead CountyDelayed report. Social media report with photo showing at least golf ball sized hail. Time estimated. (NWS TFX)

Source: NOAA/NWS Storm Prediction Center, storm reports for July 16, 2026. Times are UTC: US Eastern time is 4 hours behind in summer and 5 in winter, Central 5 and 6. Reports are preliminary and may be revised; a report is one observation at one spot, not a map of where hail fell.

Could 1.75 in hail damage your roof?

1.75 in is golf ball size, at or above the 1-inch size the National Weather Service calls severe. It is larger than the 1.5-inch ball behind a UL 2218 Class 2 rating, so standard (unrated) shingles and lower-rated products can crack or bruise. An inspection is worth booking, especially on a roof over 10–15 years old.

Shingle age matters as much as stone size: an asphalt roof loses flexibility as it ages, so the same storm can leave a new roof untouched and crack one that is 15 years old. Wind-driven hail hits the side of the roof facing the storm hardest. Use the hail damage roof calculator to compare the size you saw with your roof's age and impact rating.

Hail size guide: National Weather Service hail size descriptors.

What to check on your roof

  1. Stay off the roof. Start from the ground and from windows; a pitched roof wet from a storm is where most DIY falls happen.
  2. Look at the soft metals first: gutters, downspouts, window wraps, vent caps, the AC condenser fins. Fresh round dents are the easiest hail evidence to photograph.
  3. Check the gutters and downspout outlets for a heavy wash of shingle granules (they look like coarse black or coloured sand).
  4. With binoculars, look for dark spots where granules are missing, cracked or torn shingle edges, and lifted or missing tabs.
  5. Check skylights, plastic vent covers and the siding on the storm-facing side; cracked plastic and chipped paint point to large stones.
  6. Inside, look at the attic deck and top-floor ceilings for new stains over the next few rains — bruised shingles can start leaking weeks later.
  7. Write down the date, the time the hail fell at your address in Beaverhead County, and the largest stone you saw next to a coin or ruler.

Insurance claim steps

  1. Photograph everything before any repair: wide shots of each side of the house, then close-ups of dents and damaged shingles with a coin for scale.
  2. Save the official storm report for the day (SPC storm reports page); insurers check the date and size against reports like these.
  3. Get a roof inspection from a licensed local roofer, or from your insurer's adjuster, before deciding whether to file. Ask for a written report with photos.
  4. Check your policy: the wind/hail deductible (often 1–2% of dwelling coverage), whether the roof is settled at replacement cost or actual cash value, and the claim deadline — commonly a year from the storm, but it varies by state and policy.
  5. Run the numbers with the hail damage roof calculator: if the repair costs less than the deductible, a claim pays nothing.
  6. Make temporary repairs that stop water getting in (a tarp over an opening) and keep the receipts; most policies require you to prevent further damage.
  7. Be careful with door-to-door storm crews. Check the contractor's licence and local address, never sign over insurance benefits on the doorstep, and do not pay in full up front.

Price the inspection, repair or replacement

More hail reports

All significant hail in Montana in the last 12 months · Recent hail storms in every state

This page is rebuilt every morning from the SPC's reports. It is not a damage assessment: only an inspection of your roof can tell you whether it was damaged.

Frequently asked questions

Was there hail in Beaverhead County, MT on July 16, 2026?

Yes. The NOAA Storm Prediction Center logged 1 hail report of 1 inch or larger in Beaverhead County, MT on the July 16, 2026 storm day, the largest 1.75 in (golf ball size). Reports are preliminary and describe single spots; hail size can change from one street to the next.

What size hail damages a roof?

Damage becomes likely from about 1 inch (quarter size), which is why the National Weather Service calls that severe. Older and brittle shingles can be marked by smaller stones; 1.75-inch (golf ball) hail and larger often damages standard shingles, and stones over 2 inches exceed the largest UL 2218 test ball used for Class 4 ratings.

How long do I have to file a hail damage claim?

It depends on the policy and the state. Many homeowners policies allow a year from the date of loss, some less, and a few states set their own limits for wind and hail claims. Read the 'duties after loss' section of your policy and report the damage promptly.

Should I get my roof inspected after a hail storm?

If hail of 1 inch or more fell at your address, yes. Bruised shingles can look fine from the ground and leak months later, after a claim window may have closed. See what an inspection costs with the roof inspection cost calculator.