Billings Metro Area Natural Disasters and Weather Extremes
The chance of earthquake damage in Billings Area is much lower than Montana average and is much lower than the national average. The risk of tornado damage in Billings Area is about the same as Montana average and is much lower than the national average.
Earthquake Index, #367
| Billings Area | 0.09 |
| Montana | 1.98 |
| U.S. | 1.81 |
The earthquake index value is calculated based on historical earthquake events data using USA.com algorithms. It is an indicator of the earthquake level in a region. A higher earthquake index value means a higher chance of an earthquake.
Volcano Index, #117
| Billings Area | 0.0002 |
| Montana | 0.0002 |
| U.S. | 0.0023 |
The volcano index value is calculated based on the currently known volcanoes using USA.com algorithms. It is an indicator of the possibility of a region being affected by a possible volcano eruption. A higher volcano index value means a higher chance of being affected.
Tornado Index, #795
| Billings Area | 15.25 |
| Montana | 7.73 |
| U.S. | 136.45 |
The tornado index value is calculated based on historical tornado events data using USA.com algorithms. It is an indicator of the tornado level in a region. A higher tornado index value means a higher chance of tornado events.
Other Weather Extremes Events
A total of 2,299 other weather extremes events within 50 miles of Billings Area were recorded from 1950 to 2010. The following is a break down of these events:
| Type | Count | Type | Count | Type | Count | Type | Count | Type | Count |
| Avalanche: | 1 | Blizzard: | 11 | Cold: | 2 | Dense Fog: | 0 | Drought: | 11 |
| Dust Storm: | 0 | Flood: | 74 | Hail: | 1,307 | Heat: | 0 | Heavy Snow: | 85 |
| High Surf: | 0 | Hurricane: | 0 | Ice Storm: | 3 | Landslide: | 0 | Strong Wind: | 62 |
| Thunderstorm Winds: | 542 | Tropical Storm: | 0 | Wildfire: | 21 | Winter Storm: | 55 | Winter Weather: | 0 |
| Other: | 125 | ||||||||
Volcanos Nearby
A total of 1 volcano is found in or near Billings Area.
| Distance (miles) | Name | Region | Latitude | Longitude | Elevation (foot) | Type | Status | Last Eruption |
| 131.2 | Yellowstone | US-Wyoming, United States | 44.43 | -110.67 | 2805 | Caldera | Tephrochronology | Last known eruption B.C. (Holocene) |
Historical Earthquake Events
No historical earthquake events that had recorded magnitudes of 3.5 or above found in or near Billings Area.
No historical earthquake events found in or near Billings Area.
Historical Tornado Events
A total of 2 historical tornado events that had recorded magnitude of 2 or above found in or near Billings Area.
| Distance (miles) | Date | Magnitude | Start Lat/Log | End Lat/Log | Length | Width | Fatalities | Injuries | Property Damage | Crop Damage | Affected County |
| 12.2 | 1958-07-02 | 2 | 45°48'N / 108°29'W | 0.50 Mile | 50 Yards | 0 | 2 | 2.5M | 0 | Yellowstone | |
| 12.6 | 2010-06-20 | 2 | 45°48'N / 108°28'W | 45°48'N / 108°28'W | 1.00 Mile | 120 Yards | 0 | 0 | 0K | 0K | Yellowstone |
| Brief Description: EVENT NARRATIVE: Based on the observed damage, the tornado was classified as an EF-2 on the Enhanced Fujita Scale. Wind speeds within an EF-2 tornado range from 111-135 mph, and the associated damage observed at the Billings MetraPark and nearby businesses was consistent with this classification. The damage path was 120 yards wide with a length of about a half mile and on the ground an estimated 12 minutes. The damage assessment and eyewitness accounts indicate that the tornado developed near the intersection of Lake Elmo Drive and Main Street in the Billings Heights at approximately 4:24 pm, with significant EF-2 damage to several nearby businesses. Damage included rooftops being blown off of three structures, windows blown out, power poles downed, business signs and billboards blown down along with several trees uprooted. The tornado appeared to weaken slightly as it progressed southeast across Alkali Creek. Limbs were broken off numerous trees in the vicinity of the creek. The tornadic circulation then appeared to have strengthened once again as it moved south over the Rimrock Auto Arena at Metrapark. EF-2 damage was again observed to the arena with much of the roof blown off along with other damage to the exterior of the building. Debris from the arena impacted other nearby businesses creating additional damage, mainly in the form of broken windows. Debris from the arena was reported landing as far away as a mile from the tornado touchdown. The tornado then dissipated over the arena around 4:36 pm. The associated thunderstorm then moved northeast away from Billings. Numerous sightings of funnel clouds were reported as this storm moved east-northeast of Billings, however no additional tornado touchdowns were reported. EPISODE NARRATIVE: Meteorologically speaking, this was a very active severe weather day for south central Montana. A very moist and unstable atmosphere was in place across portions of the Billings Forecast area during the afternoon and evening of the 20th (Father's Day). A moist, southeast surface flow, strong wind shear aloft, and ample afternoon heating provided the necessary ingredients for severe weather. Numerous thunderstorms, some of which became rapidly severe producing tornadoes and large hail, developed across South Central Montana. | |||||||||||
* The information on this page is based on the global volcano database, the U.S. earthquake database of 1638-1985, and the U.S. Tornado and Weather Extremes database of 1950-2010.