Trinidad, CO Hail Storm – June 2026

Trinidad, CO experienced a multi-zone hail event on June 12, 2026, producing a peak hail size of 3.07 inches. The storm ran from mid-afternoon into late evening with repeated radar-detected and spotter-verified alerts.

What Happened

The event began in the mid-afternoon with radar-detected hail reports around 3:26 PM MDT (1.22 inch) and 3:46 PM MDT (1.19 inch). Activity continued through late afternoon with radar-detected returns at 4:27 PM MDT (1.69 inch) and 5:53 PM MDT (1.58 inch). A series of NWS warning areas were issued as the storm redeveloped in the early evening. A radar-detected alert at 6:38 PM MDT reported 1.6-inch hail, followed by a spotter-verified report at 7:25 PM MDT verifying 2.98-inch stones in the Trinidad vicinity.

After the spotter report, the event produced intermittent hail reports across multiple warning areas. Between 8:23 PM MDT and 9:44 PM MDT the record includes a mix of radar-detected and NWS warning-only alerts ranging from 0.75 inch to 1.25 inch. Later evening radar detections at 9:30 PM MDT (1.15 inch), 10:00 PM MDT (1.81 inch) and 10:36 PM MDT (1.85 inch) indicate the storm redeveloped before concluding. The aggregated sequence comprises 15 NWS alerts covering multiple warning areas around Trinidad.

Damage Assessment

Local alerts indicate hail sizes spanning from roughly three-quarters of an inch up to multi-inch stones, with a spotter-verified 2.98-inch observation near Trinidad at 7:25 PM MDT. Stones of the size verified by a spotter are consistent with severe material impacts reported in the immediate area during and after the event.

In Trinidad and adjacent neighborhoods, expect concentrated vehicle panel dents, broken skylights or light glazing damage, and shingle loss on unprotected roof coverings where the spotter-verified and larger radar-detected returns align with populated corridors. Smaller radar-detected pulses later in the evening likely produced isolated cosmetic damage on siding and glass in outlying warning areas.

What Contractors Should Know

Prioritize inspections in zones that match the radar-detected returns and the 7:25 PM MDT spotter verification. Start with photographic documentation of vehicle panels, roof coverings, gutters, and exposed mechanical equipment. Note the timing of observations when filing with insurers; multiple hail pulses occurred across distinct warning areas, which may affect claim timelines and coverage boundaries.

For roof work, verify nail pull and shingle granule loss rather than relying solely on surface bruising. Tarping and temporary fixes should focus on structures located within the concentrated radar returns and the spotter-verified vicinity. Coordinate on-site safety for crews; loose hail debris and wet surfaces were present during the late-evening pulses.

Purchase the paid Strike Map to view a precise hail track and damage zone for targeted field work.