Santa Rosa, NM Hail Storm – June 2026

Santa Rosa, NM experienced a hail-producing storm on June 9, 2026, with peak hail measured at 1.8 inches and multiple radar-detected alerts across town. The event moved through in the late afternoon and again in the early evening, generating six NWS alerts in a multi-zone aggregate report.

What Happened

The storm produced six NWS alerts for the Santa Rosa area on June 9. Four alerts were based on dual-polarization radar hail detection. Two alerts were issued as NWS warning area notices without radar-sized hail detections.

Alert timeline (local time):

• 2:36 PM MDT – radar-detected hail indicated at 1.48 inch.
• 2:38 PM MDT – radar-detected hail indicated at 1.33 inch.
• 3:07 PM MDT – radar-detected hail indicated at 1.00 inch.
• 3:13 PM MDT – radar-detected hail indicated at 1.13 inch.
• 3:44 PM MDT – NWS warning area issued; no radar-sized hail reported in the alert.
• 9:01 PM MDT – NWS warning area issued noting up to 0.75 inch hail in the warning.

The radar-detected alerts came in the late afternoon, with an additional NWS warning area in the early evening. The multi-zone aggregate spans the municipal area and immediate outskirts. Reports combine NEXRAD dual-polarization detections and NWS warning area activity rather than a single continuous radar track.

Damage Assessment

Hail ranged from pebble size up to 1.8 inches along segments of the storm track through Santa Rosa. Hail at or above 1.5 inches typically dents vehicle body panels and can fracture solar panels and skylights. Roof shingles, soffits, and vinyl siding in exposed locations are at elevated risk where hail exceeded 1 inch.

Smaller hail near 0.75 to 1.25 inch can break window screens, chip paint, and cause cosmetic damage to outdoor equipment. Expect the highest concentration of impacts where radar-detected alerts clustered in the late-afternoon series around 2:36–3:13 PM MDT. Field inspections should prioritize vehicles, roofing, and exterior glazing along those segments.

What Contractors Should Know

Inspect from ground level first. Photograph vehicle panels, roofing, gutters, and HVAC units with time-stamped images and GPS-enabled device locations. Where shingles show multiple strike points or granule loss, remove affected shingles and document underlying decking for moisture intrusion. Use industry-standard fall protection and avoid working on wet or unstable roofs.

Prioritize claims in the areas where radar detections were concentrated between 2:36 and 3:13 PM MDT, then address later evening warning-area reports. Log client statements and on-site measurements of largest hail found. For precise hail track locations to guide targeted inspections, consult the Strike Map for the paid hail track layer.