Capitan, NM Hail Storm – June 2026

Capitan, New Mexico experienced a multi-zone hail-producing storm on June 24, 2026, with a peak 2.59-inch hail core detected. The event progressed from mid-afternoon into late evening and generated a sequence of NWS alerts and radar-detected hail cores.

What Happened

Seventeen NWS alerts were issued for the Capitan area between 1:46 PM MDT and 11:48 PM MDT on June 24. Fourteen alerts were radar-detected via dual-polarization radar. Three alerts were NWS warning only reports without a corresponding radar signature. The first radar detection appeared around 1:46 PM MDT with a 1.33-inch radar estimate. Later in the afternoon and early evening the storm produced several stronger cores, including radar-detected hail estimates of 1.85 inches near 7:10 PM MDT and 1.93 inches near 8:26 PM MDT. A late-evening series of alerts between 10:06 PM MDT and 11:48 PM MDT continued to show radar-detected hail in the 1.0–1.7-inch range interspersed with NWS warning-only reports. The event concluded after the 11:48 PM MDT alert.

Damage Assessment

Radar detections reported hail sizes ranging from about three quarters of an inch to nearly two inches across multiple cores. Hail in the 0.75–1.25-inch range commonly bruises vegetation and can dent unprotected vehicles and outdoor equipment. Hail between 1.25 and 1.75 inches increases the likelihood of cosmetic and structural damage to vehicle bodies, vinyl siding, and rooftop shingles. Radar estimates of roughly 1.85–1.93 inches indicate a higher probability of broken glass, asphalt shingle loss, and damage to skylights and solar panels when exposure is prolonged.

Local NWS warning-only reports at three timestamps indicate hail or severe thunderstorm conditions where radar returns were weaker or unavailable. Those warning-only reports should be treated as potential ground impacts until field verification is completed. Insurance adjusters and property owners should prioritize documented photo evidence with timestamps and location data when filing claims.

What Contractors Should Know

Inspect roofs, vehicle fleets, and exterior equipment in Capitan and nearby communities for dents, missing shingle granules, lifted tabs, cracked vents, and broken glass. Focus initial inspections on properties downwind of the radar-detected cores and on locations within the NWS warning polygons issued between 1:46 PM MDT and 11:48 PM MDT. Photograph damage with a scale reference and capture GPS coordinates or a clear address for each affected unit.

Prepare to triage repairs by severity. Cover broken glazing and open roof penetrations immediately to prevent water intrusion. For roofing, look for granule loss patterns and tab separation consistent with 1.25–1.75-inch impacts. For vehicles, document dent patterns and note paint damage for supplemental repair estimates. Coordinate with insurers and provide time-stamped evidence from the inspection process.