Storms bring hail, rain, but drought remains

Clashing weather patterns have brought storms to the area that released damaging hail and short, heavy rains showers, but not enough to overcome the moisture deficit that has covered this part of the area in drought.

National Weather Service Meteorologist Paul Nutter in Great Falls said Thursday morning that reports came in of nickel-sized hail 9 miles west-southwest of Havre, 2-inch hail 5 miles west of town and tennis ball-sized hail 8 miles west.

He said other thunderstorms also caused hail in the area, but those were the largest-sized hail reported so far by 9:30 Thursday morning.

The stor...