Bethune, CO Hail Storm – September 2026

Bethune, CO — September 18, 2026. A multi-zone hail event concluded in the late afternoon and early evening, producing a peak 2.22-inch hail stone and triggering a sequence of NWS alerts across the Bethune metro area.

What Happened

The event produced four NWS alerts between mid-afternoon and early evening. At 3:40 PM MDT (21:40 UTC) an alert reported 1.33 inches of hail with both radar detection and a spotter verification. At 4:31 PM MDT (22:31 UTC) dual-polarization radar flagged 1.44-inch hail. At 5:38 PM MDT (23:38 UTC) dual-polarization radar again detected 1.57-inch hail. A final NWS warning at 6:30 PM MDT (00:30 UTC) reported 0.75-inch hail in the warning area with no radar or spotter corroboration noted in that bulletin.

The sequence shows a storm core that evolved eastward across the Bethune metro area in the late afternoon and into early evening. Initial reports combined radar detection with at least one on-the-ground verification. Dual-polarization NEXRAD detection provided successive radar-derived hail size estimates through the sequence. The final warning covered fringe activity identified by the NWS warning polygon.

Damage Assessment

Hail sizes detected in the alert sequence ranged from 0.75 inches to 1.57 inches on radar and spotter reports. Stones in that range commonly produce the following localized effects in Bethune and nearby rural areas: automobile body and windshield damage potential increases above about 1.0 inch; asphalt shingle impact can cause granule loss and bruising on older roofs at and above roughly 1.25 inches; vinyl and aluminum siding can show dents and perforations where hail exceeds one inch in diameter.

Agricultural exposures around Bethune warrant specific attention. Center-pivot irrigation components, exposed irrigation pipe, and unprotected field equipment sustain dents and punctures from stones larger than 1.0 inch. Fruit and vegetable crops in late growth stages can incur surface scarring and yield loss from repeated impacts in the 1.3–1.6 inch range. Cosmetic damage to solar panels and HVAC condenser fins is also likely where panels were exposed during the late-afternoon period.

Field reports and radar-derived detections identify concentrated hail across multiple alert zones rather than a uniformly affected county. Inspectors should expect variable damage bands corresponding to the storm cores shown in the alert sequence.

What Contractors Should Know

Prioritize inspections by alert timestamp and reported hail size. Start with structures and vehicles located within the earlier radar- and spotter-verified alerts. Document every roof and vehicle with date-stamped photos and a visible scale object or measurement. Note granular loss, cracked shingles, dent patterns, broken vents, and compromised skylights. For agricultural clients, record damage to irrigation hardware, exposed pipe, and crop canopy from field edges inward.