Aladdin, WY Hail Storm – August 2025

What Happened

A concluded hail storm hit Aladdin, WY, on 2025-08-17 and produced a maximum confirmed hail size of 1.5 inches. The event was mapped across eight NWS alert areas through the evening.

The first alert came at 8:49 PM MDT with 1.25-inch hail in dual-polarization radar confidence data. A second alert followed at 9:00 PM MDT with 1-inch hail. Radar then supported a 1.5-inch hail alert at 9:37 PM MDT, followed by another 1-inch hail alert at 10:00 PM MDT.

The strongest radar-derived hail signal returned at 10:17 PM MDT with 1.5-inch hail. Three more alerts followed at 10:45 PM MDT, 10:45 PM MDT, and 10:46 PM MDT. Each showed 1.25-inch hail confidence from dual-polarization radar.

The sequence points to a storm that remained organized into late evening. The alert sizes moved between 1 inch, 1.25 inches, and 1.5 inches over roughly two hours.

Damage Assessment

Hail in the 1-inch to 1.5-inch range can break or crack skylights, dent soft metal, and damage roof coverings that were already worn. Vehicles parked in open areas can show roof and hood impacts. Vinyl siding, window screens, and exterior trim can also take hits when the storm stays over the same area.

In Aladdin, the repeated 1.25-inch and 1.5-inch readings suggest a hail core that held together through multiple warning areas. That supports inspection on roofs, gutters, downspouts, fence tops, and exposed HVAC units. Metal roofing can show impact marks that are easier to see from the ground line than from street level. Asphalt shingles can show bruising, granule loss, and isolated edge damage.

Properties on the north and east side of the hail track should be checked first if they sit near the alert corridor. Detached structures, outbuildings, and ag equipment stored outside can show the first visible impact. After a storm with repeated hail alerts, minor cosmetic damage and functional damage often appear on the same roof plane.

What Contractors Should Know

Start with the roof plane, then move to soft metals, penetrations, and perimeter structures. In a storm with 1-inch to 1.5-inch hail, the first field signs often appear on ridge caps, pipe boots, flashing, window wraps, and exposed condenser fins. Document slope direction, roof age, and any existing wear before opening a detailed inspection. That record helps separate storm marks from pre-existing conditions.

Use close-range photos of impact points, then step back for elevation shots that show the full structure. For siding claims, record the height of impact marks and the wind-facing side of the building. For vehicle work, photograph dents under consistent light and note panel location. In a multi-alert event like this one, hail size may vary by block. Contractors should verify each structure against the storm path rather than rely on a single point report.