Clayton, NM Hail Storm – June 2026

A severe hail storm tracked through Clayton, New Mexico on June 30, 2026, producing stones up to 3.48 inches and generating 69 NWS alerts from mid‑afternoon into the early pre-dawn hours.

What Happened

The event began in the mid‑afternoon and persisted into the early hours of July 1, with NWS alerts spanning from 2:00 PM MDT June 30 to 3:47 AM MDT July 1. A total of 69 alerts were issued. Twenty‑three of those alerts were based on dual‑polarization radar detections. Forty‑six were NWS warning‑only alerts tied to warning areas.

Radar activity showed several intense cores after sunset. NEXRAD dual‑polarization signatures indicated 2.75‑inch hail at 7:49 PM MDT and 2.83‑inch radar signatures at 8:10 PM MDT. Earlier radar detections included a 1.75‑inch echo around 6:00 PM MDT and intermittent 1–1.5‑inch echoes during the late afternoon and early evening.

Trained spotters filed local storm reports at 8:21 PM MDT. Spotter observations recorded 1‑inch diameter hail about 7 miles east‑southeast of Lorenzo, and additional dime‑sized hail was reported farther to the north. Those spotter‑verified observations are the primary ground‑truth reports available for this event.

Damage Assessment

NWS local storm reports for this event are limited to the Lorenzo area and nearby northern locations. Trained observers documented 1‑inch and dime‑sized hail near Lorenzo at 8:21 PM MDT. No other spotter‑verified reports of larger stones were submitted to the NWS local storm report stream.

Dual‑polarization radar detected multiple cores with signatures equivalent to multi‑inch hail moving northeast of Clayton. Those radar cores passed largely over rural corridors and thinly populated sections of eastern Union County between roughly 7:30 PM and 8:30 PM MDT. Ground confirmation of the larger radar detections is sparse in the available reports.

Observed damage tied to the spotter reports was limited. Field reports did not include roof collapse, widespread structural failures, or large‑scale vehicle fleets reporting across the Lorenzo location. Where 1‑inch hail was reported, expect localized shingle bruising, denting on unprotected vehicles, and chipped exterior trim on exposed surfaces. Document the GPS location and time when you find hail impact evidence, and collect photographs that include a scale reference and surrounding structure for insurance records.

What Contractors Should Know

Inspect priority zones along the radar‑detected northeast track and in the immediate Lorenzo area first. Begin at properties within the NWS warning areas issued between 7:30 PM and 8:30 PM MDT, and then expand outward along the storm axis. For each property, take high‑resolution photos of the entire roof and closeups of any shingle granule loss, fractures, or cap sheet tearing. Record the property coordinates and timestamp photos on the day of inspection.

Clayton, NM Hail Storm – June 2026

NWS WARNING AREAS · 69

What Happened

Damage Assessment

What Contractors Should Know

Storm Details

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