Newcastle, WY Hail Storm – July 2026

A severe hail storm tracked through Newcastle, Wyoming on July 7, 2026, producing 2.56-inch hail and localized structural and vehicle impacts in the late afternoon and early evening. The event included multiple NWS alerts and spotter reports documenting both radar detections and surface damage.

What Happened

NWS issued three alerts covering the Newcastle area. At 4:05 PM MDT the first alert identified 2.00-inch hail detected by dual-polarization radar within the NWS alert area. At 5:44 PM MDT a subsequent radar-derived alert noted 1.25-inch hail. The final alert at 6:37 PM MDT combined radar detection with spotter verification and noted 2.48-inch stones within the warning area.

Radar returns showed a concentrated hail-producing core moving east-northeast across the Newcastle metro in late afternoon into early evening. Spotter reports during the core's passage described roof and vehicle impacts. Observers at about 6:22 PM MDT noted most hail measured between 3/8 and 3/4 inch with larger pieces up to 1.25 inch. Approximately eight minutes later, spotters reported downed tree branches and multiple public reports of broken windows, dented vehicles, damaged gardens, broken vehicle lights, and bent vent covers on a motor home.

The sequence of radar-detected hail followed by spotter-verified surface reports indicates the storm produced both small, widespread stones and isolated larger hail that caused concentrated damage along its path.

Damage Assessment

Field reports and observer descriptions indicate three primary impact types inside Newcastle: vegetation and tree damage, building envelope damage, and vehicle/RV damage. At about 6:30 PM MDT spotters logged tree branches down in residential areas and multiple social-media corroborations of broken windows in several blocks north of the downtown grid. The same reports referenced dented passenger vehicles and at least one motor home with a broken vent cover and damaged exterior lights.

Surface observations recorded a range of hail sizes. Most reports cited common hail in the 3/8 to 3/4 inch range, with measured larger pieces at 1.25 inch and an observer-reported cluster of 1.5-inch stones associated with the tree- and window damage. Those localized 1.5-inch reports coincide with the later radar returns and the spotter-verified alert, suggesting a focused swath of stronger impact that crossed populated streets and yards.

Damage patterns described by spotters are specific: shattered single-pane windows on north-facing rooms, dents concentrated on hood and roof panels of parked cars on residential streets, and punctured vent covers on an identified motor home parked near a city park. There is no separate, citywide report of roof failure; damage described in field reports is concentrated to visible glass, bodywork, and exterior vents in the listed neighborhoods.

What Contractors Should Know