La Junta, CO Hail Storm – August 2026

La Junta, Colorado experienced a hail-producing thunderstorm on August 31, 2026 that produced a peak stone of 3.94 inches along a concentrated radar hail track in the late afternoon into early evening.

What Happened

The National Weather Service issued 13 alert updates for the event between 3:30 PM MDT and 7:53 PM MDT. Alerts began around 3:30 PM MDT with an initial radar-detected report near 1.04 inches and continued through early evening. Dual-polarization radar detections were reported at approximately 3:30 PM (1.04 inch), 3:57 PM (2.7 inches), 4:36 PM (1.25 inches), 4:57 PM (1.52 inches), 5:25 PM (1.5 inches), 5:51 PM (1.5 inches), 6:50 PM (1.25 inches), and 7:28 PM (1.49 inches). Several intermediate alerts were issued as NWS warning-only notices at 4:02 PM, 6:26 PM, 6:41 PM, 7:13 PM, and 7:53 PM.

Radar-derived hail estimates and the sequence of NWS alerts show a concentrated hail swath moving northeast across the La Junta metro and adjacent sections of Otero County. The largest radar-derived estimate along that swath registered at 3.94 inches. The storm concluded in the early evening local time after the last alert at 7:53 PM MDT.

Damage Assessment

The radar hail track crossed central and southern portions of La Junta. Hail varied from coin-sized stones near 1.00 inch to multi-inch stones exceeding baseball size (2.75 inches) at points along the track. Stones of that size are commonly associated with vehicle body dents, damage to asphalt shingle edges and granule loss, and punctures to weaker skylight and solar panel surfaces where exposure is direct.

Roofing systems in the direct hail swath should be examined for localized shingle fracture, bruising, and granule loss. Parked vehicles in neighborhoods along the track should be inspected for panel dents and broken glass. Property owners and adjusters should prioritize visual inspections in the central-south corridor where radar-derived values were highest.

What Contractors Should Know

Document conditions with time-stamped photos and GPS coordinates. Inspect vehicles and roofing from multiple angles to capture dent patterns and shingle impact detail. Note whether coverings such as carports or tarps provided protection. Record material types and model years for roofing and exterior trim when logging potential hail hits.

Stabilize temporary safety concerns first. Tarp exposed roof areas only after photographing and logging pre-repair condition. Provide clear line-item estimates for panel replacement, shingle sections, and any glass work. Coordinate with adjusters using the radar hail timing and the alert sequence to align damage observations with the mapped hail swath.

See the Strike Map for the paid product to view the radar-confirmed hail swath and the damage zone mapping available to subscribers.