Bayfield, CO Hail Storm – September 2026

Bayfield, CO experienced a short but intense hail-producing storm on September 14, 2026, with radar-detected hail reaching 1.76 inches at peak. The event produced multiple NWS hail alerts across the Bayfield warning area from mid-afternoon into early evening.

What Happened

Storm initiation occurred in the mid-afternoon over the San Juan foothills and progressed northeast through the Bayfield warning area. The NWS issued seven radar-detected hail alerts tied to this event. Alerts and primary radar indications were as follows:

• September 14 · 1:11 PM MDT – 1.00 in hail detected by dual-polarization radar (NEXRAD hail detection).
• September 14 · 1:25 PM MDT – 1.65 in hail detected by dual-polarization radar.
• September 14 · 1:49 PM MDT – 1.00 in hail detected by dual-polarization radar.
• September 14 · 2:01 PM MDT – 1.00 in hail detected by dual-polarization radar.
• September 14 · 3:36 PM MDT – 0.88 in hail detected by dual-polarization radar.
• September 14 · 3:58 PM MDT – 1.33 in hail detected by dual-polarization radar.
• September 14 · 7:53 PM MDT – 1.00 in hail detected by dual-polarization radar.

Alerts show repeated radar signatures of hail cores moving through the Bayfield NWS warning area from early afternoon into early evening. Dual-polarization radar returned clear hail indicators for multiple cells. The alert sequence indicates a primary mid-afternoon pulse with renewed activity later in the afternoon and a final echo in the early evening.

Damage Assessment

Radar-detected hail reached sizes capable of producing noticeable exterior damage in the Bayfield area. Hail in the recorded range can dent metal vehicle panels, crack or bruise composite roofing shingles, and fracture unsecured skylights or greenhouse panels if exposure is prolonged. Agricultural assets near Bayfield are at risk for leaf shredding and fruit bruising for unharvested crops.

No spotter-verified size reports are included in the NWS alert set for this consolidated event. The alert sequence and radar signatures support a localized hail swath that crossed the municipal and rural parts of the Bayfield warning area. Property owners and insurers should expect to find vehicle dents, split or missing shingles, and impact marks on outdoor equipment where hail exposure was highest.

What Contractors Should Know

Inspect roofing, siding, and vehicles for impact marks within the Bayfield warning area first. Prioritize photographic documentation with time-stamped images and multiple angles of the same impact to support scope and insurance estimates. Look for granule loss, bruised asphalt shingles, and bent metal flashings. Check solar panels and HVAC condenser units for fractures or pitting.