Ely, NV Hail Storm – September 2025

What Happened

Ely, NV saw a concluded hail storm on 2025-09-21 with a maximum confirmed hail size of 1 inch. The storm was mapped in a single warning area and reached its peak in the early evening.

The National Weather Service issued one alert for the event at 6:54 PM PDT, with a reported hail threat of 1 inch. Dual-polarization radar returned a confidence signal tied to NEXRAD hail detection in the warning area. No additional alerts were issued for this storm.

The timing places the event after daylight hours, when roof impacts, vehicle exposure, and outdoor material storage were still a concern across the alert area. The hail threat remained tied to one storm cell and one alert cycle.

Damage Assessment

A 1-inch hail event can produce visible impact on roofing, siding, gutters, vents, skylights, and soft metals. On asphalt roofs, dents and granule loss are common field findings. On metal surfaces, paint chips and widespread cosmetic marks are more likely than punctures, but exposed seams and thin gauge components can still take damage.

Vehicles parked outside during the hail window may show roof, hood, and glass impacts. Window screens, patio covers, and condenser fins can also show strike marks. In a storm of this size, the first inspection pass should focus on slope changes, ridge caps, pipe boots, flashing, and any area with prior wear.

In Ely, the single-alert structure suggests a narrow event footprint. Damage will usually track closely to the storm path inside the warning area, with the heaviest effects near the strongest radar-derived hail core.

What Contractors Should Know

Field crews should start with the roof edge, then move to the field and penetrations. On a 1-inch hail job, the cleanest evidence often appears on soft metals, north-facing slopes, and impact-prone components around vents, drip edge, and chimney trim. Photograph hail marks before cleanup. Measure strike patterns on shingles, gutters, and window wraps while the evidence is still fresh.

Crews should also separate storm-related wear from older aging. In a single-zone event like this one, inspection notes should stay tied to the specific storm date, local time, and visible impact pattern. That helps document whether the damage aligns with the early evening hail window or pre-existing deterioration. Keep vehicle photos, ladder-access roof shots, and close-ups of metal deformation together in one file set.

For contractors working claims or post-storm canvass routes, this event is small enough to require precision. Focus on properties inside the warning area first, then compare roof pitch, material type, and exposure to the local hail path. A 1-inch storm can leave enough evidence for a targeted follow-up, especially on older roofs and unprotected exterior features.

Use the Strike Map for precise hail track data.