Rio Rico, AZ Hail Storm – September 2026

Rio Rico, AZ — September 11, 2026. A late-afternoon to early-evening thunderstorm produced golf ball-size hail up to 1.75 inches and prompted multiple NWS alerts across the Rio Rico area.

What Happened

The storm moved through Rio Rico beginning in the late afternoon and ended in the early evening. NWS alerts and radar detections documented hail-producing cells along the storm path. At 3:05 PM MST (22:05 UTC) the NWS issued a severe thunderstorm warning reporting 1.00-inch hail; that alert was listed as NWS warning only. At 3:39 PM MST (22:39 UTC) dual-polarization radar detected a stronger core with estimated 1.39-inch hail within the warning area. The system produced a later pulse detected by dual-polarization radar at 6:24 PM MST (01:24 UTC) that included 1.00-inch hail detections. The event concluded shortly after the final radar detections.

Damage Assessment

Hail sizes observed during the event ranged from quarter-sized to golf ball-sized. Quarter-sized hail is 1.00 inch. Golf ball-sized hail is 1.75 inches. Golf ball-size impacts commonly produce denting to unprotected vehicles. They can bruise or fracture asphalt shingles, crack older roofing tiles, and shatter or pit exterior glass. Quarter-sized hail frequently causes cosmetic damage to siding and accelerates wear on roofing materials.

Radar-detected cores and the NWS warning area place the highest risk for those impacts within residential and vehicle-populated corridors of Rio Rico during the late-afternoon to early-evening window. Where hail fell at or near golf ball size, expect a higher likelihood of visible vehicle dents and localized roof damage; where hail was nearer to quarter size, expect shingle bruising and surface pitting.

What Contractors Should Know

Prioritize roof and vehicle inspections in properties inside the NWS warning area and along the radar-detected hail track. Begin with high-value and high-exposure assets: vehicles left outdoors, metal roofs, solar arrays, and recently repaired roofs. Document damage with time-stamped, geotagged photos and short notes on observed hail size and roof condition. Check attic spaces for active leaks and inspect shingle edges and valleys for granule loss and soft spots.

For initial repairs, secure tarps only where active leaks exist. Avoid full roof replacement estimates until a full inspection verifies substrate damage. For vehicle repair providers, catalogue dents and glass chips separately and record original vehicle condition to support claims. Coordinate with property owners on temporary water-mitigation measures and schedule follow-up inspections within 48 to 72 hours to identify progressive leaks or hidden damage.

A Strike Map showing the radar-confirmed hail swath is available to subscribers for precise planning and contractor canvassing.