Calhan, CO Hail Storm – August 2026

A severe hail storm tracked through Calhan, Colorado on August 19, 2026, producing stones up to 5 inches and prompting a series of NWS alert areas across eastern El Paso County.

What Happened

The event began in the mid-afternoon and intensified into the early evening, with the National Weather Service issuing 11 alerts between 3:57 PM MDT and 8:26 PM MDT as the line moved eastward. Dual-polarization radar (NEXRAD) returned multiple hail detections during that period, including radar-derived signatures equating to roughly 1.25 to 2.5-inch hail on several passes. Two alerts were flagged as NWS warning only rather than radar-detected.

Around 7:26 PM MDT a trained spotter reported mostly 1-inch stones at their location but added that a few 3-inch hail stones struck their property; the spotter’s timing was estimated from radar. Additional spotter and mPING submissions arrived later, including a quarter-sized report at 8:42 PM MDT and a 1-inch report with time estimated at 8:17 PM MDT. Radar detections and the sequence of NWS warning areas show the most concentrated hail signatures passing through and immediately east of Calhan during the early evening window.

Damage Assessment

Field reports indicate concentrated impact at a private property near central Calhan where several 3-inch stones were observed to strike structures and surfaces. Other observer submissions from the same evening describe mostly smaller stones around 1 inch, reported at 8:17 PM MDT and 8:42 PM MDT. Radar detections align with those ground reports, showing intermittent strong hail signatures along a corridor through town and into adjacent rural sections.

There are no widespread, time-stamped damage claims tied to municipal infrastructure in the field reports. The trained spotter’s account specifically references hail striking their property; that report is the primary ground-truth indicator of large stones in the storm. Quarter-sized and 1-inch reports later in the evening indicate variable hail distribution across short distances within the warning area.

What Contractors Should Know

Prioritize inspections for properties along the east-west corridor through Calhan where radar and spotter reports overlap. Start with the location of the trained spotter who reported 3-inch stones, then work outward along the mapped warning area. Document every inspection with time-stamped photos and notes tied to the local times of the reports. Capture roof elevations, gutter damage, and any visible punctures or shattered vents at the trained spotter address first.

Expect high variability in impact across short distances. Allocate teams for focused canvasses rather than blanket neighborhood drives. For roofing materials, look first for fractured dimensional shingles, localized shearing on metal panels, and concentrated denting on vehicles near reported impact points. For siding and vents, check for perforation or missing elements where 3-inch stones were reported.