A cold front moved south over the hi-line late in the day July 4th.  This caused enhancement of thunderstorms in a warm and moist airmass after peak heating. These elevated storms produced damaging winds and large hail for a large swath land near the Canadian Border. Damage from the event was estimated at $7.5 million.  An article covering the cost of the storm from local media can be seen at http://www.ktvh.com/home/headlines/Hailstorms-Cause-Millions-in-Damage-to-Wheat-Grain-Crops--318469291.html .

Hail in HILL, MONTANA
From 04-JUL-15 20:49:00 to 04-JUL-15 20:49:00 (MST-7)
Location: BURNHAM
Magnitude: 0.75 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Thunderstorm Produced an estimated 50 mph wind gust and penny size hail on the north end of Fresno Reservoir.

Hail in HILL, MONTANA
From 04-JUL-15 21:00:00 to 04-JUL-15 21:00:00 (MST-7)
Location: HAVRE
Magnitude: 1.75 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Golf ball size hail and power outage reported due to thunderstorm.

Hail in HILL, MONTANA
From 04-JUL-15 22:15:00 to 04-JUL-15 22:15:00 (MST-7)
Location: HAURE AFS
Magnitude: 0.75 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Penny size hail covering the ground was reported.

Thunderstorm Wind in HILL, MONTANA
From 04-JUL-15 20:15:00 to 04-JUL-15 20:15:00 (MST-7)
Location: SIMPSON
Magnitude: 70.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

A large barn was destroyed. Large Hay Bales tossed. One Section of a steel shed blown out.

Thunderstorm Wind in HILL, MONTANA
From 04-JUL-15 19:55:00 to 04-JUL-15 19:55:00 (MST-7)
Location: SIMPSON
Magnitude: 61.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

A 70 mph wind gust and small hail was observed by the COOP Observer.

Thunderstorm Wind in HILL, MONTANA
From 04-JUL-15 20:01:00 to 04-JUL-15 20:01:00 (MST-7)
Location: HAURE AFS
Magnitude: 60.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

A local mesonet site recorded a 60 knot wind gust.

Thunderstorm Wind in HILL, MONTANA
From 04-JUL-15 20:04:00 to 04-JUL-15 20:04:00 (MST-7)
Location: COLD STONE
Magnitude: 52.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

A local Mesonet site recorded a 52 knot wind gust.

Thunderstorm Wind in HILL, MONTANA
From 04-JUL-15 20:28:00 to 04-JUL-15 20:28:00 (MST-7)
Location: COLD STONE
Magnitude: 52.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

A local mesonet site recorded a 52 knot wind gust.

Thunderstorm Wind in HILL, MONTANA
From 04-JUL-15 20:30:00 to 04-JUL-15 20:30:00 (MST-7)
Location: INVERNESS
Magnitude: 50.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

A Department of Transportation roadside station recorded a 50 knot wind gust.

Thunderstorm Wind in TOOLE, MONTANA
From 04-JUL-15 20:49:00 to 04-JUL-15 20:49:00 (MST-7)
Location: KIPPEN
Magnitude: 67.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

Blue Herron Mesonet site reported a wind gust of 64 knots.

Thunderstorm Wind in HILL, MONTANA
From 04-JUL-15 20:56:00 to 04-JUL-15 20:56:00 (MST-7)
Location: (HVR)HAVRE CITY-CO A
Magnitude: 63.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: ASOS

Havre ASOS reported 63 knot wind gust.

Thunderstorm Wind in LIBERTY, MONTANA
From 04-JUL-15 21:22:00 to 04-JUL-15 21:22:00 (MST-7)
Location: CHESTER
Magnitude: 52.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

A mesonet site reported 52 knot wind gust.

Thunderstorm Wind in HILL, MONTANA
From 04-JUL-15 21:49:00 to 04-JUL-15 21:49:00 (MST-7)
Location: RUDYARD
Magnitude: 68.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

A 78 mph gust was reported at a CWOP site.

Thunderstorm Wind in CHOUTEAU, MONTANA
From 04-JUL-15 22:17:00 to 04-JUL-15 22:17:00 (MST-7)
Location: BIG SANDY ARPT
Magnitude: 79.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

A mesonet site reported a gust of 79 knots.

Hail in TOOLE, MONTANA
From 04-JUL-15 20:00:00 to 04-JUL-15 20:00:00 (MST-7)
Location: ROSS INTL ARPT
Magnitude: 0.88 
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

The ground was covered in penny to nickel size hail.