Nogales, AZ Hail Storm – July 2026

Nogales, AZ experienced a concluded hailstorm on July 15, 2026, producing hail up to 2.14 inches in diameter during the midday to early afternoon period. The event produced two NWS severe thunderstorm warnings while moving across the Nogales metro warning area.

What Happened

The storm developed over the Nogales metro on July 15 and unfolded through mid-morning into early afternoon. The National Weather Service issued two severe thunderstorm warnings for 1.00-inch hail at 12:29 PM MST (19:29 UTC) and 1:03 PM MST (20:03 UTC). Those warnings were issued as NWS warning only, without confirmation at the time of issuance.

Radar and post-event verification showed a larger maximum hail size than the warned values. Maximum hail reached 2.14 inches in portions of the warning area. The report represents a multi-zone aggregate for Nogales and adjacent locales inside the NWS warning area. The storm is concluded and no further alerts remain active for this event.

Damage Assessment

Hail up to 2.14 inches is large enough to cause measurable damage to common exterior building materials and vehicles within Nogales city limits and nearby residential areas covered by the warnings. Expected impacts include dented automotive sheet metal, cracked or displaced asphalt shingles, fractured roof tiles, and damaged skylights or exposed glazing where present. Soft exterior finishes such as vinyl siding and older solar panel assemblies are also at elevated risk.

The earlier 1.00-inch warnings identified a broader area at risk during the event. Observed maximum sizes exceeded those warning thresholds in isolated swaths inside the NWS warning area. Localized concentrations of larger hail are consistent with radar-derived hail swaths observed across the metro.

What Contractors Should Know

Prioritize visual inspections for roofing, vehicle fleets, solar arrays, and exposed glazing in Nogales neighborhoods that received the heavier hail return. Begin with photographic documentation of hail size using a ruler or standardized coin for scale, and map each sampled location to a street address or parcel. Record the time of inspection and any visible perforations, broken tiles, or panel fractures. Keep ladder and fall-protection protocols in place; wet, recently storm-damaged roofs increase fall risk.

Coordinate initial triage with insurers and municipal permitting if repairs will require permits. Estimate replacement versus repair based on measured hail size, material age, and extent of localized clustering. For fleet and vehicle work, focus on dent mapping and windshield integrity. For rooftop work, consider temporary tarping only where water intrusion is evident; avoid unnecessary roof penetrations during early assessments.

The paid Strike Map shows the precise hail track data and impact points for the Nogales warning area.