Flagstaff, AZ Hail Storm – July 2026

Flagstaff, AZ experienced a hail-producing thunderstorm on July 19, 2026, producing stones up to 1.78 inches in diameter across the metro area. The event produced a sequence of NWS alerts driven by dual-polarization radar detections.

What Happened

A multi-cell thunderstorm moved across the Flagstaff metro in the late afternoon and early evening. The NWS issued four hail alerts tied to radar detections inside the Flagstaff warning area:

• July 19 · 3:39 PM MST – radar-detected hail measured at about 1.69 inches by dual-polarization NEXRAD.
• July 19 · 5:13 PM MST – radar-detected hail near 1.00 inch.
• July 19 · 5:45 PM MST – radar-detected hail around 1.05 inches.
• July 19 · 6:25 PM MST – radar-detected hail near 1.00 inch.

The alerts tracked the storm as it redeveloped and shifted position across the metro. All size reports listed above were derived from dual-polarization radar returns and issued as NWS hail alerts. The storm concluded in the early evening local time.

Damage Assessment

Stones in the roughly 1-to-2-inch range can cause localized roof shingle impact, denting of metal surfaces, and windshield or vehicle body damage where exposure is direct. Asphalt shingles can suffer granule loss and bruising from impacts of this magnitude. Vehicles parked outdoors in neighborhoods beneath the radar-detected swath were at elevated risk for dents and broken glass.

No spotter-verified structural collapse or widespread catastrophic damage was included in the NWS alert set tied to this event. Insured loss outcomes will depend on exact exposure, duration of hail fall, and preexisting roof condition in the affected Flagstaff neighborhoods.

What Contractors Should Know

Inspect roofs for bruising and granule loss first. Focus on south- and west-facing slopes in the flagged warning area, where hail accumulation and fall angle often concentrate damage. Photodocument granular loss, shingle fractures, and perimeter flashing damage. Note that small fractures may not be visible from the ground; use close-up images from a ladder or drone when safe and permitted.

Assess vehicles and exterior metalwork for dents and cracked glass. Separate claims by address and by the radar-detected swath to limit scope creep. Prepare for concentrated repair requests in the metro Flagstaff neighborhoods that intersect the NWS warning area and prioritize emergency tarp or glazing work where leaks are reported.

The Strike Map provides the precise radar-derived hail track for this event and is available for paid access to map exact impact points.