Walsenburg, CO Hail Storm – August 2026

Walsenburg, CO experienced a late-afternoon to early-evening hail event on August 19, 2026, producing stones up to 2.17 inches and a concentrated radar-detected hail swath through parts of the city. The storm is concluded.

What Happened

A multi-zone storm passed over Walsenburg in the late afternoon and into early evening. The National Weather Service issued three warning-area alerts tied to radar hail detections. At 4:45 PM MDT (22:45 UTC) dual-polarization NEXRAD detected hail near 1.25 inches inside the warning area. At 5:42 PM MDT (23:42 UTC) radar indicated hail near 1.48 inches as the cell moved east. At 6:05 PM MDT (00:05 UTC) NEXRAD indicated hail near 1.57 inches within the same warning area. Aggregated storm data for the multi-zone report shows a maximum hail measurement of 2.17 inches within the affected footprint.

All three alerts were based on dual-polarization radar hail detection inside issued warning areas. The detection sequence shows intensifying hail signatures through late afternoon into early evening before the storm concluded in the Walsenburg metro area.

Damage Assessment

Alert-detected hail sizes in the 1.25 to 1.57 inch range commonly damage vehicle paint, dent metal siding, and crack standard asphalt shingles when exposure is direct. The aggregate peak of 2.17 inches raises the risk for broken skylights, significant roofing loss on weaker roof coverings, and cracked vehicle windshields in the immediate strike path.

Damage patterns are likely to be patchy and concentrated along the radar-derived hail track through southern and central Walsenburg. Areas inside the NWS warning areas should be inspected first. Surface debris, dent patterns on vehicles, and shingle granule loss are the initial field indicators to document during inspections.

What Contractors Should Know

Prioritize safety and access. Inspect roofs from the ground visually, then establish safe rooftop access only if conditions and equipment allow. Photograph full-building elevation shots, close-ups of impacted materials, and include scale references for all hail damage images. Log GPS coordinates for each inspected structure and note whether the property lies inside the NWS warning area issued during the event.

Estimate scope where stones exceeded one inch in diameter and where storm clustering was evident along the radar-derived track. Temporary repairs should focus on watertightness until permanent repairs are scheduled. Contractors preparing scopes should document material type, roof pitch, and signs of secondary damage such as dented gutters, HVAC units, and window glazing.

Subscribers can access the Strike Map for the precise hail track and damage zone data.