Carlsbad, NM Hail Storm – June 2026

Carlsbad, NM experienced a multi-zone hail event on June 24, 2026, peaking with 2.02" hail and producing repeated radar-detected hail warnings across the metro area. The storm has concluded.

What Happened

The event ran through late afternoon and into the evening on June 24. The National Weather Service issued nine radar-based hail alerts covering the Carlsbad metro area. Alerts, times, and radar hail size detections were:

• June 24 · 3:55 PM MDT (21:55 UTC) – 1.31" hail – dual-polarization radar detection
• June 24 · 5:46 PM MDT (23:46 UTC) – 1.35" hail – dual-polarization radar detection
• June 24 · 6:58 PM MDT (00:58 UTC) – 1.53" hail – dual-polarization radar detection
• June 24 · 7:39 PM MDT (01:39 UTC) – 1.71" hail – dual-polarization radar detection
• June 24 · 7:44 PM MDT (01:44 UTC) – 1.01" hail – dual-polarization radar detection
• June 24 · 9:03 PM MDT (03:03 UTC) – 1.00" hail – dual-polarization radar detection
• June 24 · 9:06 PM MDT (03:06 UTC) – 1.04" hail – dual-polarization radar detection
• June 24 · 9:29 PM MDT (03:29 UTC) – 1.58" hail – dual-polarization radar detection
• June 24 · 9:58 PM MDT (03:58 UTC) – 1.36" hail – dual-polarization radar detection

The highest radar-derived hail diameter measured in the aggregate product reached 2.02" within the mapped hail track. Alerts were repeated across a roughly five-hour window, indicating multiple convective cores tracked over the Carlsbad area. Radar signatures were consistent with hail production; no spotter-verified ground reports are included in this summary.

Damage Assessment

Radar detections for this event ranged roughly from 1.00" to 2.02" across the Carlsbad metro. Hail of 1.0" to 1.5" commonly results in cosmetic and functional damage to vehicles and exterior building components on exposed surfaces. Hail approaching or exceeding 2.0" increases the risk of broken glass, punctured siding, and localized roof shingle damage where exposure was direct.

Observed radar concentration and the timing of alerts indicate the heaviest hail likely tracked through central and northern portions of the Carlsbad metro during the late afternoon and early evening. Inspectors should prioritize visual checks for denting on vehicle panels, cracked or shattered windows, and displaced or granule-loss roof shingles in those areas. Document all findings with date- and time-stamped photos and location references.

What Contractors Should Know

Perform an exterior walkaround with a calibrated hail-diameter reference. Measure and photograph dents on vehicles and sheet metal, and capture high-resolution images of roof shingles from ground level and, if safe, from elevated vantage points. Note concentrated damage bands and record GPS coordinates or street addresses for each observation.