Nogales, AZ Hail Storm – September 2025

What Happened

A severe hail storm moved through Nogales, AZ on September 6, 2025, producing 1-inch hail in three NWS alert areas during the afternoon and evening. The storm produced the most verified hail in the late afternoon and early evening, with radar and spotter confidence appearing in the alerts at 3:32 PM MST, 6:39 PM MST, and 7:21 PM MST.

The first alert came at 3:32 PM MST with dual-polarization radar support for 1-inch hail. A later alert at 6:39 PM MST carried radar and spotter verification for the same hail size. Another radar-based alert followed at 7:21 PM MST. The timing points to a storm that remained capable of hail production for several hours rather than a brief burst.

Field reports confirmed impacts in and around the Nogales metro. At 6:45 PM MST, a spotter reported power poles down near San Joaquin Rd and Neal Ave. At 7:16 PM MST, another trained spotter reported several washes flowing along South San Joaquin Road between West Milkyway Drive and Bopp Road, with at least 6 inches of water and debris on the road. Both reports placed the storm’s ground effects in the same general corridor as the hail alerts.

Damage Assessment

The field reports show a storm that produced more than hail alone. Near San Joaquin Rd and Neal Ave, downed power poles were reported during the main phase of the event. Farther along South San Joaquin Road, spotters described flowing washes, standing water depth of at least 6 inches, and debris across the road between West Milkyway Drive and Bopp Road.

That combination points to a localized impact zone in the southern Nogales area, where wind, hail, and heavy runoff overlapped during the evening cycle. The reports do not describe widespread structural loss, but they do document roadway disruption and utility impacts in specific neighborhoods and road segments.

The hail reports themselves were supported by both dual-polarization radar and spotter verification. The 6:39 PM MST alert carried the strongest ground-based confirmation among the three, while the earlier and later alerts show the storm maintained hail potential over a long enough window to affect multiple parts of the metro area.

For contractors, the key field note is not just stone size. It is where the storm left evidence on the ground. San Joaquin Rd, Neal Ave, and the South San Joaquin Road corridor should be the first places to check for roof impacts, gutter damage, broken trim, and water intrusion tied to runoff.

What Contractors Should Know

Nogales sits close to terrain that can turn short-lived hail and heavy rain into concentrated drainage problems. The reports from South San Joaquin Road show active flow through washes and debris on the roadway. In practical terms, that means roof work and exterior inspections should account for both hail impact and water movement in the same event footprint.