Kanab, UT Hail Storm – August 2026

Kanab, Utah experienced a multi-pulse severe hail event on August 30, 2026, producing a peak hail stone of 2.31 inches and repeated radar-detected hail pulses across the metro from mid-afternoon into early evening.

What Happened

The storm evolved as a series of hail-producing cells that tracked across the Kanab metro area on August 30. The NWS issued an initial warning at 12:45 PM MDT that referenced 1.00-inch hail (warning-only). Dual-polarization radar detected a stronger hail pulse at 2:33 PM MDT with hail estimates near 1.38 inches. A later radar-detected intensification produced hail near 1.65 inches around 3:05 PM MDT. A final radar-detected pulse produced an additional pocket of 1.40-inch hail at 4:50 PM MDT. The event concluded after the early evening pulse.

The sequence shows multiple hail cores moving through the same general corridor, producing discrete pulses rather than a single long-lived cell. The maximum measured stone of 2.31 inches was observed during the afternoon activity. Radar coverage and NWS warnings both contributed to alerting the area during successive pulses.

Damage Assessment

Radar-derived hail sizes during the event indicate a range of impacts across Kanab neighborhoods. Repeated pulses in excess of 1.25 inches increase the probability of vehicle body dents, broken glazing on skylights and conservatory glass, and punctures to soft roofing membranes. Hail estimates in the 1.4–1.65 inch range recorded by radar are consistent with damage to asphalt shingles, fiberglass skylights, and exterior vinyl siding in affected blocks.

Open or exposed equipment—air-conditioning condensers, satellite dishes, and rooftop solar panels—are at elevated risk where radar-detected cores passed. Property owners in the metro should prioritize photographic documentation of visible dents, cracked glass, and displaced roofing material for insurance review. Ground inspection is recommended only after surfaces have dried and conditions are safe.

What Contractors Should Know

Inspect roofs first in the mapped pulse corridors, focusing on asphalt shingle granule loss, split or bruised shingle faces, and compromised flashing. Photograph full-field shots plus close-ups with scale next to three representative failures on each roof. For vehicles, document panel depressions and lens fractures from multiple angles, noting the location and time of inspection.

Prepare triage plans for temporary watertight repairs and coordinate with insurers on scope and timing. Use noninvasive testing—shingle lift checks, light hammer taps on foam-backed panels, and skylight glazing inspection—before proposing full replacement. Keep inspection reports tied to the radar event times and locations to streamline adjuster review.

For the radar-confirmed hail swath and paid damage zone mapping, see the Strike Map for this event.