Montana Weather Alert: Tornado Chances And Severe Hail Risks

As I write this on Friday afternoon, the Missoula skies are darkening, the wind is picking up and temperatures are cooling off. Montana could be in for more of this weather and then some.

Central Montana Tornado Outlook

The National Weather Service put out a tornado outlook for Montana, showing the central portion of the state could see some tornado activity.

Friday, June 13's Montana Tornado Outlook. Credit: National Weather Service Storm Prediction Center

The brown area that covers much of Central Montana, including Great Falls, Helena, Lewistown, and even Billings, shows a 5 - 9% chance of a tornado.

I don't mean to scare anybody, because we know forecasts can be a crapshoot, but this is what the NWS is providing us anyhow.

The green shaded area reaching from Missoula to Cut Bank to Miles City back to Bozeman and Butte shows a 2 - 4% probability of a tornado.

Fortunately, the percentages are under 10. Once an area gets above 10%, it ups the chances of seeing an EF2 - EF5 tornado.

Montana's Severe Hail Outlook

Hail could be in the mix, especially in Central Montana, as well.

Montana's Severe Hail Outlook for Friday, June 13. Credit: National Weather Service Storm Prediction Center

Even in areas outside of Central Montana, hail is possible today.

Montana's Severe Weather Outlook

The severe weather forecast covers the entire state in some form.

Friday, June 13th's severe weather outlook for Montana. Credit: National Weather Service Storm Prediction Center

Again, Central Montana has the highest risk (enhanced risk bracket) of seeing severe weather.

LOOK: Montana's Most Beautiful Rivers

When you're looking for some of Montana's prettiest rivers, you don't have to look for - but you can certainly get off the beaten path, too.

The largest river in Montana by volume is the Clark Fork, but it's NOT the longest. The Clark Fork is considered the headwaters of the Columbia River Basin.

Gallery Credit: mwolfe