Folsom, NM Hail Storm – August 2026

What Happened

Folsom, NM experienced a concluded hail event on August 5, 2026, producing a peak hail stone of 1.76 inches and a sequence of radar-detected alerts and one NWS warning-only alert. The event moved through the local area in the late afternoon into early evening and affected multiple adjacent notification zones.

The first hail detection arrived in late afternoon. Dual-polarization radar flagged 1.22-inch hail at 3:26 PM MDT. Subsequent radar detections included 1.55-inch at 4:11 PM MDT, 1.00-inch at 4:12 PM MDT, and 1.43-inch at 4:58 PM MDT. Radar continued to detect hail into the early evening with 1.31-inch at 5:14 PM MDT and dual detections at 5:36 PM MDT that included a 1.42-inch radar detection and a separate NWS warning-only report at 1.00 inch. The final radar-detected hail alert arrived at 8:09 PM MDT for 1.40-inch hail. In total, eight NWS alerts covered the event; seven were identified from dual-polarization radar hail detection and one was an NWS warning-only alert.

Damage Assessment

Radar-detected hail sizes during the event clustered between roughly 1.0 inch and 1.55 inches in multiple passes across Folsom, with isolated larger stones observed in the overall event maximum. Hail in the 1.0–1.5-inch range commonly produces denting to vehicle sheet metal and bruising or granule loss on asphalt roofing. Roof shingles may show localized granule loss and edge wear where impacts were concentrated.

Pieces above about 1.5 inches increase the likelihood of shingle fractures, damaged gutters, and punctured vinyl or aluminum siding. Skylights, uncovered glass, and exposed mechanical equipment are at higher risk for shattered glass and impact damage when larger stones occur. Field inspections in the affected neighborhoods should prioritize exposed vehicles, outer roof surfaces, and ground-level glass or solar arrays.

What Contractors Should Know

Inspect roofs from ground level first to document granule loss patterns and obvious deformations. Use high-resolution photos with location references before beginning hands-on work. Prioritize asphalt shingle systems for roof covers with visible granule loss and check flashing around penetrations for impact cracks. For vehicles and light metal surfaces, photograph dents and punctures and estimate panel repair vs replacement costs.

Safety and scheduling guidance: expect increased call volumes in the 48–72 hours after the event. Staging materials for common repairs — replacement shingles, underlayment, flashing, and fasteners — reduces turnaround time. Confirm permit and disposal requirements for your jurisdiction before starting replacements. Coordinate with property owners on temporary tarping where active leaks are present and retain pre-repair documentation for claims support.

The paid Strike Map shows the precise hail track and damage zone for this event.