Pueblo, CO Hail Storm – August 2026

Pueblo, CO — August 23, 2026: A concluded severe thunderstorm produced radar-detected hail up to 1.32 inches around 3:13 PM MDT. The event prompted a single NWS severe thunderstorm warning for the Pueblo metro area.

What Happened

The storm moved through the Pueblo metro in the late afternoon on August 23. The NWS issued one severe thunderstorm warning at 3:13 PM MDT after dual-polarization NEXRAD identified a hail signature that reached 1.32 inches. The warning polygon covered the Pueblo, CO zone and remained active for the characteristic short-lived convective cycle typical of mid-afternoon pulse events. Radar returns indicate the hail core passed primarily across the central portion of the metro area before the cell weakened and the event concluded that same afternoon.

Damage Assessment

Hail at 1.32 inches commonly produces cosmetic and functional damage to exposed property. Expect panel dents on vehicles, granule loss and surface abrasion on asphalt shingles, shallow fractures or pitting on skylight and vehicle glazing, and deformation of soft metal roof edges or HVAC housings. Smaller exterior finishes such as vinyl siding and uncoated outdoor fixtures are likely to show surface marking or abrasion. Structural roofing failure is less common at this size but localized shingle damage that shortens roof life is plausible on older installations.

Field verification is necessary to determine actual losses at specific addresses within the warning area. Photographic documentation should include measured hail samples, direct roof and vehicle photos, and GPS-tagged timestamps to correlate with the radar-detected hail track.

What Contractors Should Know

Prioritize external inspections. Start with aerial or ladder-access roof assessments for granule loss, cracked or split shingles, and displaced flashing. Record hail diameter in inspection notes; reference 1.32 inches as the radar-detected peak size for this event. Photograph vehicle dents, pitted glass, and damaged equipment with a clear scale reference. Log GPS coordinates and upload time-stamped images to the project file.

Prepare scopes of work that differentiate repair from replacement. For asphalt roofing, document extent of granule loss and active leaks to justify replacement versus spot repair. For vehicles and metal components, produce panel-by-panel damage estimates and note OEM vs. aftermarket part requirements. Follow safety protocols for wet or steep roofs and secure temporary tarps only where permitted by local code. Use the radar-derived timing in claims documentation to align canvass areas with the storm’s passage through the Pueblo zone.

For precise hail track data and address-level impact mapping, purchase the Strike Map for this Pueblo event.