Syracuse, KS Hail Storm – September 2026

Syracuse, KS experienced a concluded hail-producing storm on September 14, 2026, with peak hail measured at 1.66 inches and multiple NWS alerts issued across the metro. The event moved through during the late afternoon and early evening and produced mixed radar-detected and NWS-warning-only hail signatures.

What Happened

The storm moved through Syracuse from mid-afternoon into early evening. The NWS issued 12 alerts for the event between 2:46 PM CDT and 8:37 PM CDT. Early warning activity began with a 0.75-inch NWS warning at 2:46 PM CDT. Dual-polarization radar detected intensified signatures later in the afternoon, with notable radar-derived hail detections at 3:29 PM CDT and 4:13 PM CDT. The majority of later alerts were classified as NWS warning only, reporting 0.75-1.00 inch hail signatures. Radar-derived detections reported larger signatures in the late afternoon, which correspond with the peak hail footprint mapped across the metro corridor. The storm is concluded.

Damage Assessment

NWS alerts and radar detections show hail signatures across the Syracuse metro ranging from 0.75 to 1.66 inches. Multiple NWS warning-only alerts reported 0.75-inch signatures; dual-polarization radar indicated larger returns during the late-afternoon intensification. The alert sequence did not include spotter-verified damage reports within the public NWS alerts issued for the event. Hail at 0.75 inch (penny-sized) commonly produces cosmetic impacts to vehicles and vegetation. Hail near or above 1.00 inch (quarter-sized or larger) can dent metal panels and abrade roofing surfaces. At 1.66 inches (just under golf-ball size), expect localized panel denting on vehicles, punctures to some soft roofing materials, and isolated shingle damage on exposed roof planes. Inspected properties should prioritize photographic documentation tied to location and time. Note the NWS warning area covers a broad polygon; actual hail impacts were concentrated along the radar-derived swath through the metro.

What Contractors Should Know

Inspect within the NWS warning area and along the radar-indicated hail track first. Begin with high-value assets: fleet vehicles, rooftop hvac units, and vehicles parked in exposed lots. Use coin or ruler measurements in photos. Record exact addresses, as the warning polygon is larger than the radar hail swath and post-event claims depend on precise location data.

Document exterior roof conditions with clear, time-stamped photos and include at least one close-up showing hail-size reference and one wide shot of the roof plane. For vehicles, photograph all panels and glass from multiple angles and include a scale reference. Retain radar-derived timestamps when matching field observations to the late-afternoon radar detections.

Purchase the Strike Map to view the radar-confirmed hail swath and the paid-product damage zone for Syracuse on September 14, 2026.