Cañon City, CO Hail Storm – July 2026

Cañon City, CO experienced a concluded hail event on July 29, 2026 with a maximum confirmed hail size of 2.1 inches. The storm produced a sequence of radar-detected hail alerts through the early evening.

What Happened

The hail-producing storm moved through Cañon City during the early evening hours. Alerts began at 5:33 PM MDT and continued through 7:24 PM MDT, covering a 1 hour, 51 minute span.

Alert sequence and detection method:

• July 29 · 5:33 PM MDT — 1.28 inches, dual-polarization radar detected
• July 29 · 6:02 PM MDT — 1.56 inches, dual-polarization radar detected
• July 29 · 6:36 PM MDT — 1.25 inches, dual-polarization radar detected
• July 29 · 7:12 PM MDT — 1.56 inches, dual-polarization radar detected
• July 29 · 7:24 PM MDT — 1.00 inch, NWS warning only

Multiple radar-detected alerts preceded the final NWS warning-only notice. The alert pattern shows repeated cores of sizable hail passing over portions of the city between mid- and late evening. Storm status is concluded.

Damage Assessment

Radar detections during the alert sequence ranged from 1.0 to 1.56 inches, with the highest observation reaching 2.1 inches. Hail in the 1.0–1.56 inch range commonly produces denting to passenger vehicle body panels, cracked or punctured skylights, and localized damage to asphalt shingles, especially on roofs with existing wear.

The 2.1-inch observation increases the probability of more significant failures along the core hail swath. Expect a higher frequency of shattered skylights, damaged HVAC condenser fins, and discrete soft-siding punctures where the largest stones struck. Inspect vehicles parked outdoors in affected neighborhoods and inventory rooftop vulnerabilities first.

What Contractors Should Know

Safety and documentation take priority. Conduct a visual safety sweep before roof access. Photograph damage with scale references and capture GPS-tagged images of each impacted structure and vehicle. Record timestamps in local time (MDT) and measure representative hail fragments if available.

Prioritize inspections by likely exposure: vehicles and exposed mechanical equipment, then roofing with known age or previous wear, then windows and exterior cladding. Temporary tarps and protective covers can limit secondary water intrusion. Provide itemized photos and measurements for each repair estimate.

See the Strike Map for the precise hail track and impact points.