Kanab, UT Hail Storm – September 2026

Kanab, UT, recorded a severe hail event on September 15, 2026, producing peak stones up to 1.66 inches in diameter during the midday period. The storm was short-lived and has concluded.

What Happened

NWS issued a single hail alert for the Kanab warning area at 12:29 PM MDT on September 15, 2026. The alert reported 1.23-inch hail detected by dual-polarization NEXRAD hail detection. Radar returns showed a concentrated hail core moving through the city around midday and into the early afternoon. The NWS warning area covered the municipal limits and adjacent corridor. No additional NWS alerts were issued for this storm. Ground reports were limited; radar detection provided the primary evidence of hail production for this event.

Damage Assessment

Hail up to this magnitude is capable of producing cosmetic and functional damage to common building materials. Expect punctures or fractures in unprotected skylights and polycarbonate glazing where impacts were direct. Asphalt composite shingles may exhibit bruising and localized granular loss, especially on southern and windward roof slopes that faced the storm track. Metal flashings, gutters, and soft metals can develop dents; vehicle body panels and exterior HVAC condensers are at risk of hail dings. Landscaping damage can include broken glass on greenhouses, stripped foliage on young trees, and impact craters in unprotected soil beds.

No spotter-verified damage reports were included in the NWS alert record for this event. Property owners in the Kanab warning area should document visible impacts with dated photographs and avoid assumptions about structural integrity without inspection by a qualified contractor.

What Contractors Should Know

Prioritize safety and documentation. Conduct an initial exterior inspection from ground level to identify obvious glazing failures, open flashing, and large dents in metal roofing or equipment. Photograph each damaged element with a reference object and note orientation relative to the storm track. If interior leaks are present, apply temporary tarps only after a safe, documented rooftop assessment. Record the time and location of each observation to correlate with the NWS warning area and radar-detected hail track.

For repairs, start with a targeted roofing triage. Check for shingle bruising and granular loss on high-exposure slopes and around roof penetrations. Inspect solar arrays, HVAC housings, and rooftop equipment for punctures or bent fins. Prepare itemized estimates that list repairable items versus components likely requiring full replacement. Communicate expected lead times for materials and be explicit in written scopes about what was inspected and what remains to be evaluated under daylight conditions.

Paid Strike Map shows the radar-confirmed hail swath and damage zone for this event.