Gillette, WY Hail Storm – July 2026

Gillette, WY experienced a short hail event on July 29, 2026, with a peak measurement of 0.44 inch. The storm produced radar-detected hail alerts and an NWS severe thunderstorm warning in the late afternoon and has concluded.

What Happened

At 3:26 PM MDT, dual-polarization NEXRAD indicated hail returns consistent with up to 1.0-inch diameter. The radar-derived alert was issued for portions of the Gillette metro area. At 3:49 PM MDT, the National Weather Service issued a severe thunderstorm warning that cited 0.75-inch hail within the warning polygon. The second alert was based on the warning polygon rather than a separate dual-polarization hail detection.

Storm motion was generally east-southeast across the Gillette metro. The event was brief and concentrated in the late afternoon hours. This page aggregates multiple warning polygons and radar detections that affected nearby notification zones across Gillette and adjacent suburban areas.

Damage Assessment

Peak measurements place most impacts in the sub-half-inch range. At 0.44 inch, typical outcomes include cosmetic damage to vehicle paint, minor bruising of soft plant material, and isolated dents on unsecured metal fixtures. The radar and warning indications up to 1.0 inch and 0.75 inch suggest the potential for localized pockets of slightly larger stones where inspections should focus.

Given the concentrated nature of the event over the Gillette metro, prioritize examinations of parked vehicles, uncovered rooftop equipment, and areas where radar returns and the warning polygon overlapped residential clusters. Widespread structural failures are unlikely at these measured sizes, but targeted damage can occur where hail concentrated over small areas.

What Contractors Should Know

Inspect vehicles first. Photograph and geotag every vehicle with visible blemishes. Note paint scuffs, dents on soft metal, and broken glass. Use the NWS warning polygon overlay to prioritize neighborhoods that were inside the warning area at 3:49 PM MDT.

On buildings, check skylights, HVAC units, gutters, soffits, and vinyl or aluminum siding. For composite roofing, look for granule loss and bruised shingles rather than immediate penetration. Log each inspection with time-stamped photos and GPS coordinates to support claims and to map repair priorities across Gillette.

For precise hail track data and targeted inspection coordinates, purchase the Strike Map.