Pocatello, ID Hail Storm – August 2026

Pocatello, ID experienced late-afternoon hail on August 23, 2026, with radar-detected peak hail measured at 1.97 inches. The event produced multiple NWS alerts and moved across the Pocatello metro between mid-afternoon and early evening.

What Happened

NWS issued six alerts covering portions of the Pocatello warning area during the event. Dual-polarization radar and NEXRAD hail detection flagged repeated hail signatures across the metro.

• August 23 · 3:09 PM MDT – 1.32" hail recorded by dual-polarization radar in the initial warning area.
• August 23 · 3:20 PM MDT – 1.33" hail detected as the storm tracked eastward through the metro.
• August 23 · 3:43 PM MDT – 1.26" hail detection during continued radar returns over populated corridors.
• August 23 · 3:54 PM MDT – 1.00" hail detection as the main echo weakened briefly.
• August 23 · 3:57 PM MDT – 1.35" hail detected on a secondary rebound in the echo core.
• August 23 · 5:05 PM MDT – 1.00" hail detection associated with a late-event cell near the metro fringe.

Radar-derived analysis identified a separate peak detection at 1.97 inches within the aggregate storm footprint. All listed alerts and detections were based on dual-polarization radar returns. The storm is concluded.

Damage Assessment

Radar detections produced hail exposures across residential and commercial areas of the Pocatello metro. Detections that passed through the 3:09 PM–3:57 PM warning area overlap neighborhoods and arterial corridors commonly occupied by parked vehicles during the afternoon.

Hail of this scale can dent vehicle body panels and damage unsecured exterior fixtures. Roofing exposures include loss of asphalt granules on three-tab and architectural shingles, fractured edge shingles, and punctures to polycarbonate skylights. Vinyl siding and exterior trim in the direct radar-detected swath also had exposure risk. No spotter-verified damage reports are embedded in the alert list; observed impacts should be corroborated on site before estimating repair scope.

What Contractors Should Know

Prioritize field inspections in areas covered by the mid-afternoon warning area and the late 5:05 PM detection. Begin with roofs on recent-claim properties and vehicles parked along routes indicated by the radar track. For roofing, document granule loss, hail bruising through mineral surfacing, and any punctures to underlayment. Photograph pre-existing conditions where visible to separate prior wear from new impact.

Safety checks first. Use fall protection and test anchor points before roof access. Triage visible damage into three categories for scheduling: immediate temporary repairs to stop water ingress, full replacement candidates where hail has compromised shingle integrity, and cosmetic replacements for dented metal. Record GPS locations during canvass for correlation with the radar track.