Colorado Springs, CO Hail Storm – September 2026

Colorado Springs, CO — Late afternoon on September 22, 2026, a convective cell produced radar-detected hail up to 1.00 inch as it crossed the metro area. The event concluded after a single NWS alert issued for 1.00-inch hail.

What Happened

A severe thunderstorm moved through the Colorado Springs metropolitan area in the late afternoon on September 22. The National Weather Service issued a severe thunderstorm warning at 5:30 PM MDT citing 1.00-inch hail detected by dual-polarization NEXRAD radar. Radar returns showed a compact hail core moving northeast across the city during the warning window. No additional NWS alerts were issued for the same storm cell in this zone. The storm was classified as concluded after the radar signature weakened and the warning expired.

Damage Assessment

Dual-polarization radar indicated hail with a maximum diameter of 1.00 inch over populated neighborhoods and commercial corridors in Colorado Springs. Hail of this size can produce localized damage to vehicle paint and can bruise asphalt shingles where impacts are frequent. Skylights, solar panels, and unprotected HVAC coils are vulnerable to pitting or cracking when struck by hail in this size range. Landscape plants and exposed outdoor furniture can show shredding or puncture damage in the immediate swath.

No field reports of larger hail or widespread structural failure were included in the alert data used for this report. Where known, impacts were concentrated along the radar-detected track through the metro area rather than across the entire NWS warning area.

What Contractors Should Know

Inspect roofs for shingle bruising, granule loss, and fractured edges, focusing first on south- and west-facing elevations where wind-driven hail often concentrates. Photograph all damage with date- and time-stamped images and include a tape-measured reference to show scale. For vehicles, document dent patterns and paint abrasions before any on-site repairs. Do not replace materials based solely on surface bruising; perform moisture checks and nail-shear tests to confirm whether replacement is necessary.

Provide clients with concise, itemized estimates that separate emergency tarping and temporary fixes from full replacements. Use supplier-sourced samples to match shingle color and profile when replacement is required. Coordinate with insured property owners to submit documented estimates and photographs to carriers promptly. Maintain safety protocols for field crews working on wet or debris-strewn surfaces and confirm local permitting or disposal requirements prior to large-scale tear-off operations.

Paid subscribers can view the Strike Map and damage zone for the radar-confirmed hail swath.