Beulah, CO Hail Storm – August 2026

Beulah, CO experienced a concluded multi-zone hail event on August 16, 2026, producing stones up to 2.19 inches and triggering a sequence of radar detections and NWS warnings.

What Happened

The storm developed in mid-afternoon and generated the first NWS alert at 1:28 PM MDT. Operators issued 31 total NWS alerts for the Beulah metro between 1:28 PM and 8:49 PM MDT. Dual-polarization radar detected hail on 19 of those alerts. Twelve alerts were NWS warning only without an associated radar hail detection.

Radar-derived hail size reports progressed through the afternoon. Early readings clustered near 1.0 inch in mid-afternoon. Late-afternoon scans showed intermittent growth, with radar-detected values above 1.5 inches by around 5:08 PM MDT. The largest radar-derived readings occurred in early evening, including a 2.03-inch radar detection at 7:10 PM MDT, before the event concluded later that evening. NWS warning-only alerts accompanied several of the smaller readings and bridged coverage between radar scans.

All times in this report are local (MDT). The storm is concluded. Field verification and local storm reports remain limited in the public record for this event.

Damage Assessment

This event produced a mix of hail sizes across Beulah, from sub-inch stones reported in multiple NWS warning-only alerts to multi-inch stones indicated by dual-polarization radar late in the event. Stones in the multi-inch class commonly damage unprotected vehicle surfaces, glass, and asphalt roofing. Stones near or above 1.25 inches increase the likelihood of composite shingle damage and broken skylight glazing on exposed slopes.

Damage potential is spatially variable. Radar detections indicate concentrated swaths of larger hail in the early evening scans. NWS warning-only alerts capture additional nearby exposures where radar returns were weaker or scan timing missed peak updrafts. Contractors and property owners should plan inspections that prioritize areas along the radar-derived swath and properties within the NWS warning area polygons issued during the event.

What Contractors Should Know

Prioritize visual roofing inspections for dents, missing granules, cracked or split shingles, and punctures to soft metals. Photograph all damage from multiple angles. Measure representative hail fragments when available and note the collection time. Record the NWS warning times and the radar-detected size samples for each property file. Triage work by safety risk first, then by extent of roofing exposure. Temporary repairs should focus on preventing water entry until a permanent fix can be scheduled.

For insurance documentation, assemble a concise packet: timestamped photos, location coordinates, client statements, and the timeline of NWS warnings and radar detections. Estimate repair vs replacement using measured exposure and roof age. Coordinate with adjusters on visible vs concealed damage and provide clear line-item estimates for replacing roofing assemblies versus isolated shingle repairs.