Fort Thomas, AZ Hail Storm – August 2026

A severe hail storm tracked through Fort Thomas, Arizona on August 19, 2026, producing radar-detected 2.12-inch hail and generating 13 NWS alerts across the metro area. The event ran from early afternoon into the night, with multiple dual-polarization radar detections and several NWS-warning-only reports.

What Happened

Radar signatures intensified through the early afternoon and produced repeated hail detections over Fort Thomas. Dual-polarization radar flagged multiple pockets of larger returns in the mid- to late-afternoon period, with the most pronounced radar signature observed around 3:00 PM MST. NWS warning-only alerts appeared intermittently in the early evening as the storm complex weakened but continued to produce smaller hail.

A spotter in the Fort Thomas area provided a field observation around 2:55 PM MST, estimating 1-inch hail and noting the time was estimated from radar. That spotter-verified observation aligns with the sequence of radar-detected hail alerts that began in the early afternoon and continued into the evening. In total, 13 NWS alerts were issued for the metro on August 19, including multiple dual-polarization radar detections and several warnings designated as NWS warning only.

Damage Assessment

NWS field reports for Fort Thomas include a single spotter-verified estimate of 1-inch hail at 2:55 PM MST. No additional local storm reports documented measured hail, broken glazing, roof failures, or other structural losses within the NWS spotter log for this event. Radar-detected signatures show larger hail potential in brief cells later in the afternoon, but those larger radar returns did not produce additional spotter-verified damage reports in the provided record.

Insurance and municipal records for Fort Thomas have not been supplied here. For the event footprint covered by the NWS alerts, the surface impact record is limited to the spotter observation. Field teams operating inside the metro should reference on-the-ground assessments when establishing claim windows or repair schedules.

What Contractors Should Know

Inspect steep-slope roofing first in neighborhoods that lie under the storm track through the central and southern portions of Fort Thomas. Focus initial checks on asphalt shingles and ridge caps for bruising, granule loss, and torn shingles. Document roof conditions with dated photos and a location reference. The spotter-verified hail at 2:55 PM MST indicates that hail fell during late afternoon conditions; photo contrast will be sufficient for visible damage assessment for several days after the event if inspections occur promptly.

Next, prioritize exposed equipment and penetrations. Check HVAC condenser fans and coils, solar panels, skylights, and rooftop mechanical flashings on structures along the radar-indicated track. For vehicles in uncovered parking near the downtown corridor, inspect hoods, trunks, and roof panels for dents consistent with 0.75–1.5-inch stones. Where larger radar returns were present, expand metal and glass inspections to include storefront glazing and signage.