Chugwater, WY Hail Storm – June 2026

Chugwater, WY experienced a concluded hail-producing storm on June 23, 2026, producing peak radar-detected hail of 1.57 inches. The event developed in the late afternoon and moved northeast through early evening.

What Happened

NWS issued three warning areas for the Chugwater vicinity during the late afternoon and early evening. The first warning area began at 4:53 PM MDT with dual-polarization radar detecting hail around 1.48 inches. A second warning area followed at 5:02 PM MDT with radar-detected hail near 1.00 inch. A final warning area at 6:10 PM MDT showed radar-detected hail near 1.32 inches. Radar signatures across the sequence indicated discrete hail swaths rather than a broad mesoscale hail shield. The storm concluded in the early evening local time.

Damage Assessment

Hail sizes reported by radar ranged from about 1.0 to 1.57 inches (approximately 25 mm to 40 mm). Hail in that range commonly dents unprotected vehicle panels and can remove asphalt shingle granules, accelerating roof wear in the immediate strike path. Skylights and greenhouse glazing in exposed locations are at elevated risk for cracking. Exterior soft materials such as vinyl siding and irrigation equipment may show impact scuffs and punctures in areas directly under the hail swaths.

Inspect for localized water intrusion where shingles or flashing were compromised. Concentrate assessments along the radar-indicated hail swaths and under the NWS warning areas issued between 4:53 PM and 6:10 PM MDT. Photographic documentation of hail, impact patterns, and timestamps will be necessary for claims and repair scopes.

What Contractors Should Know

Prioritize safety and rapid triage. Verify roof access and surface conditions before walking on slopes. Where water intrusion is present or imminent, install temporary covers and secure tarps to limit interior damage. Record hail diameters with a calibrated ruler or reference object and capture north/south/east/west photos of each structure. Note the NWS warning area times and correlate them to on-site observations to establish event timing for claim documentation.

Plan field resources around concentrated strike areas first. Start with structures showing roof penetrations, skylight failure, or active leaks. For roofing, evaluate granule loss, membrane punctures, and flashing integrity before replacing materials. Coordinate with property owners on insurance expectations and provide a clear scope that separates temporary mitigation from permanent repairs. Purchase the Strike Map for the precise hail track and damage zone.