Sunnyside, UT Hail Storm – September 2026

Sunnyside, UT experienced a hail-producing thunderstorm on September 18, 2026, producing a peak 2.65-inch hailstone during a late-afternoon into early-evening event. The storm produced a sequence of radar-detected hail alerts across the Sunnyside metro area and has concluded.

What Happened

The storm moved through Sunnyside from mid-afternoon into early evening on September 18, 2026. The National Weather Service issued an 11-alert sequence driven by dual-polarization NEXRAD hail detection. Alerts issued for the Sunnyside metro area are listed below with the local issuance times and the radar-derived hail diameters reported in each alert:

• September 18 · 1:56 PM MDT – 1.55-inch hail (radar-detected)
• September 18 · 2:58 PM MDT – 1.45-inch hail (radar-detected)
• September 18 · 3:04 PM MDT – 1.25-inch hail (radar-detected)
• September 18 · 3:24 PM MDT – 1.48-inch hail (radar-detected)
• September 18 · 3:58 PM MDT – 2.44-inch hail (radar-detected)
• September 18 · 4:41 PM MDT – 1.10-inch hail (radar-detected)
• September 18 · 4:55 PM MDT – 1.76-inch hail (radar-detected)
• September 18 · 5:15 PM MDT – 1.35-inch hail (radar-detected)
• September 18 · 5:43 PM MDT – 1.00-inch hail (radar-detected)
• September 18 · 6:14 PM MDT – 1.50-inch hail (radar-detected)
• September 18 · 6:42 PM MDT – 1.50-inch hail (radar-detected)

Radar signatures were persistent through the late-afternoon and early-evening period. The alert sequence shows repeated hail detections across multiple scans of the NEXRAD network, indicating a sustained hail-producing storm cell across the Sunnyside metro area.

Damage Assessment

Radar-derived hail diameters reported in the alert sequence ranged from 1.00 inch to 2.44 inches. Hail in this range can produce cosmetic and structural damage to vehicles, rooftop coverings, and exterior building components depending on exposure and material condition.

Expect denting to unprotected vehicle panels and damage to exposed metal components. Asphalt-shingle roofs with existing wear are at higher risk of granule loss and bruising. Solar panels, skylights, and vinyl siding can sustain impact damage where hail fell directly. Prioritize inspections for leaks and newly visible shingle loss on properties that reported roof compromises after the event.

What Contractors Should Know

Safety first. Use two-person teams for roof access and follow local fall-protection regulations. Tarping and temporary repairs should focus on properties with active water intrusion. Document every inspection with geotagged photos, a brief note of observed hail sizes on-site, and the local time stamp. Use the NWS alert times above to correlate reported damage to the event window.