Nogales, AZ Hail Storm – August 2026

A severe hail storm tracked through Nogales, AZ on August 19, 2026, producing 2.4-inch stones and a sequence of radar-detected hail alerts from mid-afternoon into the evening.

What Happened

Eighteen NWS alerts covered the event between 2:05 PM MST and 8:56 PM MST. The early activity began at 2:05 PM MST with a radar-detected hail signature. Multiple later alerts were also derived from dual-polarization radar, while several others were issued as NWS warning only updates. Significant radar-detected hail signatures were reported in late afternoon and early evening, including detections around 4:06 PM MST, 4:56 PM MST, and 8:07 PM MST.

Spotters provided surface confirmation during the storm. At 5:57 PM MST two spotters reported 1-inch hail in the Nogales area. At 6:37 PM MST two additional spotters reported quarter-sized hail. The spotter-verified observations match a pattern of larger hail signatures aloft on dual-polarization radar and intermittent NWS warning-only alerts throughout the multi-hour event.

Damage Assessment

Local storm reports logged multiple spotter-verified hail impacts but did not include accompanying structural-damage reports in the submitted records. The two 5:57 PM MST spotter entries recorded 1-inch hail impacts at ground level. Two 6:37 PM MST entries recorded quarter-sized hail at the surface.

Dual-polarization radar indicated pockets of much larger hail aloft passing over the Nogales metro during the late-afternoon to early-evening window. Ground observations in this event were limited to smaller, spotter-verified stones at the times listed above. Where radar detected larger stones overhead, expect concentrated surface impacts limited to the narrow radar-detected swaths that crossed Nogales rather than uniform coverage across the entire warning area.

Field-level evidence in the local storm reports points to likely vehicle denting and shingle bruising in areas corresponding with the spotter sightings and radar-detected swaths. No local storm report in the record provided a verified structural collapse or widespread catastrophic roof loss. Insurers and adjusters should route initial inspections to addresses within the NWS warning area and prioritize locations near the spotter timestamps for first-pass assessments.

What Contractors Should Know

Inspect roofs and exposed surfaces in the Nogales warning area with emphasis on inspections near the 5:57 PM MST and 6:37 PM MST spotter coordinates. Expect dented metal flashing, bruised asphalt shingles, and cosmetic damage to vehicles where spotters logged 1-inch and quarter-sized hail. Where dual-polarization radar detected larger hail signatures aloft, plan for targeted checks of skylights, solar arrays, and soft metal components even if spotter reports at those exact points were smaller.

Document pre-existing conditions with date-stamped photos before any repairs. Use the spotter timestamps to prioritize field crews: late afternoon neighborhoods with concurrent radar detections first, followed by early evening detections. For temporary work, secure loose panels and cover broken glass to prevent water intrusion. Keep repair bids discrete and tied to observed, photographed damage reported in these Nogales-area inspections.