Hail history for Lincoln County, MT

Lincoln County has 14 recorded hail events in the NOAA Storm Events Database — 11 of them 1″ or larger and 1 at 2″ or larger. The largest on record: 3.0″ (tea cup) on August 11, 1968.

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 14 since 1968

1″ or larger 11 NWS severe threshold

2″ or larger 1 hen egg class and up

Largest recorded 3.0″ tea cup · August 11, 1968

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 Lincoln County

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

Most recent recorded events

Latest 8 of 14 recorded events · data through April 2026
Date	Size	Comparable to
June 15, 2021	1.0″	Quarter
July 18, 2016	1.0″	Quarter
July 17, 2013	1.0″	Quarter
July 17, 2013	1.25″	Half dollar
July 17, 2013	1.0″	Quarter
July 17, 2013	1.0″	Quarter
August 5, 2009	1.75″	Golf ball
July 10, 2006	0.75″	Penny

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

From the storm reports

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

June 15, 2021 · 1.0″ (quarter)

Reports of dime to quarter sized hail in Libby. Some trees lost leaves but no other damage was noted.

July 17, 2013 · 1.25″ (half dollar)

On the afternoon of Wednesday July 17th 2013, a right-moving supercell thunderstorm developed near Troy and tracked north and east across Rexford. A local business in Rexford reported structure and vehicle damage due to the estimated half-dollar hail. Several teenagers received bruises from the hail when they were on the shore of Lake Kookanusa. They estimated the thunderstorm wind gusts to 50 mph.

August 5, 2009 · 1.75″ (golf ball)

Hail caused significant damage to two vehicles and broke small tree limbs off nearby trees 2 miles southeast of Eureka.

Events by decade

1950s	1960s	1970s	1980s	1990s	2000s	2010s	2020s
0	1	0	1	3	3	5	1

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 Lincoln County

Has it ever hailed in Lincoln County?

Yes — 14 hail events have been recorded for Lincoln County, MT in the NOAA Storm Events Database since 1968, including 11 of 1″ (quarter size) or larger.

When did it last hail in Lincoln County?

The most recent recorded hail event for Lincoln County, MT is June 15, 2021, 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 Lincoln County?

3.0″ (tea cup), recorded on August 11, 1968. Hail that size is destructive-class and typically damages roofs, vehicles, and siding. 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.