Columbus, NM Hail Storm – October 2026

A severe hail storm tracked through Columbus, NM on October 23, 2026, producing 2.93-inch stones and generating 26 NWS hail alerts late afternoon into early evening.

What Happened

The event began in the mid-afternoon and continued into the early evening. NWS hail alerts were first issued at 3:20 PM MDT and continued through a final notice at 6:34 PM MDT. Most alerts were based on dual-polarization radar detections. Several alerts were issued as NWS warning only notifications during periods of rapid storm evolution.

Radar-detected hail reports during the sequence ranged from approximately 0.75 inch to 2.53 inches. Notable radar detections occurred in the late afternoon, including a 2.53-inch radar-derived detection at 4:41 PM MDT and a 2.30-inch radar-derived detection near 6:04 PM MDT. The dual-polarization returns showed repeated hail cores as the storm tracked across the Columbus metro.

Surface observations were limited but specific. At 6:00 PM MDT spotters reported hail covering the ground in the Costco parking lot at Interstate 10 and Towbridge Dr., indicating quarter-sized stones at that location. The same spotter recorded heavy rainfall of 1.5 inches and wind gusts of 45 to 50 mph as the storm passed.

Damage Assessment

Field reports show localized ground coverage of hail at the Costco parking lot near Interstate 10 and Towbridge Dr. Spotters on site recorded quarter-sized hail at 6:00 PM MDT and measured 1.5 inches of rain during the event. The spotter also reported wind gusts to 45–50 mph concurrent with the hail.

No additional local storm reports from other Columbus neighborhoods were received in the immediate aftermath. Radar indicated larger hail aloft on multiple passes, but surface verification at the documented location was limited to quarter-sized stones. The heavy rainfall reported at the Costco site likely increased run-off in the parking area and may have caused pooling adjacent to curbs and drains.

Vehicle owners and commercial fleets parked at the reported Costco location should prioritize photographic documentation of dents and paint damage tied to the 6:00 PM MDT observation. Contractors conducting initial assessments should record the spotter time and place for each photographed impact to maintain a clear event timeline.

What Contractors Should Know

Start with a structured triage at the Costco parking lot at Interstate 10 and Towbridge Dr. Photograph every vehicle and structure with a measurable scale item in frame. For vehicles, capture hood, roof, trunk, and windshield close-ups. For building envelopes, check gutters, downspouts, and ground-level debris for shattered window glass or displaced metal. Note the spotter-observed quarter-sized hail when cataloging dent size and pattern.

Inspect roofing and rooftop equipment with a lift or drone. Look for hail-induced bruises, loss of granules on asphalt shingle roofs, and impact marks on metal panels and HVAC housings. Wind gusts of 45–50 mph reported at 6:00 PM MDT increase the likelihood of minor wind-related seam separation and loose flashing. Prioritize rooftop units, solar arrays, and exposed conduit runs for physical checks.