Animas, NM Hail Storm – October 2026

Animas, NM recorded hail up to 1.06 inches on October 20, 2026 during a late-afternoon to early-evening thunderstorm that generated multiple NWS alerts and radar hail detections.

What Happened

Dual-polarization NEXRAD radar triggered two NWS alerts tied to the same storm that moved over Animas. At 4:53 PM MDT (22:53 UTC) radar-detected hail signatures indicated up to 1.83 inches. A later NWS alert at 6:49 PM MDT (00:49 UTC) showed a radar detection of 1.00 inch. The event concluded that evening. The aggregated report for the multi-zone storm lists a maximum verified hail size of 1.06 inches.

Warning area coverage included the Animas metro footprint. Alerts were issued during late afternoon and early evening as the storm tracked eastward. Radar returns and the alert sequence show two discrete periods of elevated hail estimates rather than continuous high-end hail production.

Damage Assessment

Hail measured at 1.06 inches is slightly larger than a U.S. quarter (quarter-sized = 1.00 inch). On vehicles, expect denting to body panels and potential paint chip patterns concentrated on horizontal surfaces. Roof shingles may show localized granular loss and small bruises on the shingle mat where impacts landed. Exposed soft metals such as aluminum trim and air-conditioning fins are at risk of bent fins or small punctures.

The earlier radar detection of 1.83 inches indicates brief pockets of larger hail aloft, but field-verified and aggregated measurements for this event did not sustain that size at the surface across the Animas area. Owners of parked vehicles, recreational trailers, and unprotected HVAC condensers should prioritize photographic documentation of dents and broken components for insurance purposes.

What Contractors Should Know

Perform an initial exterior photo survey before any disturbance of the site. Capture wide-angle shots of vehicle rows and structure elevations, then take close-ups of dents, cracked solar glass, and shingle granule loss. Time-stamp images and catalog by address within the NWS warning area. For roofs, inspect for concentrated granule loss, shingle bruising, and displaced edges. Mark affected areas clearly and avoid walking brittle shingles unless using proper safety measures and roof protection.

Estimate repair scope with an emphasis on component-level damage: vehicle body panels, aluminum siding, HVAC fins, and asphalt shingle systems. Provide clients cost options for spot repairs versus full replacements when granule loss is localized. For solar arrays, inspect module glass and racking anchors. For any temporary coverings, use non-damaging fastening and document removal dates. Communicate inspection findings in writing and include the NWS alert times and the radar-detected hail sizes in estimates.

A paid Strike Map is available for subscribers to view the radar-confirmed hail swath and the damage zone for this event.