Escalante, UT Hail Storm – September 2026

Escalante, UT experienced a concluded severe hail event on September 16, 2026, with peak stones measuring 2.15 inches in diameter and a compact, radar-detected core passing through the town in the late afternoon.

What Happened

NWS issued a single severe thunderstorm warning at 3:03 PM MDT for the Escalante area. The warning flagged radar-detected hail to 1.61 inches based on dual-polarization radar returns. The storm moved quickly through the municipal area in late afternoon and then weakened. Storm status is concluded.

Radar signatures showed a concentrated hail core within the warning area. The platform-wide report for this event is a single-zone entry covering the Escalante metro. Ground reports did not appear in the public alert feed for this event. Timing and hail detections align with the 3:03 PM MDT warning with the most intense radar returns focused over town and immediate outskirts.

Damage Assessment

Hail stones exceeding two inches were present within the radar hail swath. Hail at this scale commonly causes visible denting on aluminum and painted metal surfaces. Asphalt shingle damage is likely where shingles were aged or previously weathered. Vehicle panels and exposed glass are at elevated risk for dents and cracked windshields when struck by stones of this size.

Impact patterns are concentrated along the radar-derived track inside the NWS warning area. Structural penetrations such as skylight fracture or localized siding punctures are possible on older or vulnerable installations. Areas with newer, impact-resistant roofing are less likely to show through-and-through damage but may still have granule loss and cosmetic degradation. There were no public ground-truth photographic submissions tied to this event in the alert feed at the time of publication.

What Contractors Should Know

First priority is safety and documentation. Photograph damage from multiple angles with timestamps and GPS coordinates. Record the local date and the reported hail size in each file name. Triage roofs by risk of water intrusion. Place temporary covers on exposed openings immediately to prevent secondary damage. Check gutters, downspouts, and exterior HVAC units for dents and clogs caused by hail and debris.

Estimate replacement needs for vehicles, solar arrays, and roofing materials separately. Older asphalt shingles frequently require full replacement after impact at this scale. For insurance submissions, provide the NWS warning time, the radar-detected hail value reported at 3:03 PM MDT, and on-site photos showing date and location. Schedule a follow-up moisture scan and interior inspection for locations where shingles were visibly compromised.

Access the Strike Map to view the radar-confirmed hail swath and the paid damage zone for this event.