Pocatello, ID Hail Storm – July 2026

Pocatello, ID experienced a late-afternoon hail event on July 29, 2026, peaking at 1.3 inches in diameter. The storm concluded the same evening after a sequence of NWS alerts and radar detections.

What Happened

Storm initiation occurred in the region during the mid-afternoon and intensified into the late afternoon and early evening. The NWS issued three alerts tied to this event:

• July 29 · 3:59 PM MDT — 1.00-inch hail reported by dual-polarization radar detections.
• July 29 · 5:28 PM MDT — 0.88-inch hail reported within an NWS warning only.
• July 29 · 5:57 PM MDT — 0.75-inch hail reported within an NWS warning only.

Radar returns showed a concentrated hail signature over metro Pocatello during the late-afternoon period. The earliest radar-detected hail pulse was at 3:59 PM MDT. Subsequent NWS warning-only alerts continued through the early evening as the cell moved northeast. The event is closed and no active warnings remain for the area.

Damage Assessment

Alerted hail sizes in the warning sequence ranged from 0.75 to 1.00 inches, with field verification supporting a maximum measured size of 1.3 inches. Hail in the 0.75 to 1.00 inch range commonly produces paint chips, small dents on vehicle body panels, and pockmarks on soft metals. Hail near 1.3 inches increases the probability of windshield pitting, shingle granule loss, and denting of aluminum trims and HVAC condensing units located on exposed roofs.

For residential roofing in metro Pocatello, expect localized granule loss and potential compromise of three-tab asphalt shingles where hail was concentrated. Vehicles parked outdoors in neighborhoods east and northeast of central Pocatello are most likely to show impact marks consistent with the reported hail sizes. No broad structural collapses or catastrophic building failures were reported in the available alert dataset.

What Contractors Should Know

Prioritize targeted exterior inspections in areas under the NWS warning area and along the radar-identified hail swath. Use timestamped photographs and a calibrated scale in each image to document dent diameter and shingle granule loss. Inspect HVAC units, solar panels, and exposed metal trims first. For vehicles, photograph full panels and individual dents from multiple angles to support claims documentation.

Schedule roof-access assessments only after performing preliminary ground-level inspections. Where shingle damage is observed, mark affected zones and measure remaining shingle exposure to determine replacement versus repair. Coordinate with property owners to limit unnecessary roof traffic. Keep repair estimates tied to measured impact sizes and the specific addresses within the NWS warning area.

Access to the paid Strike Map provides the precise hail track and damage zone for claims and field deployment planning.