Tucson, AZ Hail Storm – July 2026

Tucson, AZ experienced a multi-zone hail event on July 12, 2026 that produced a peak hail diameter of 2.78 inches. The storm moved through metro Tucson from mid-afternoon into early evening and is now concluded.

What Happened

The National Weather Service issued 11 alerts for the event between 2:31 PM MST and 5:47 PM MST. Alerts spanned mid-afternoon into early evening and covered multiple warning areas across the Tucson metro. Several alerts were issued as NWS warning only notices reporting roughly 1-inch hail at multiple times. Dual-polarization NEXRAD hail detection identified stronger radar signatures during the late-afternoon pulse. A radar-detected signature at 4:00 PM MST indicated a 1.79-inch hail signature. A subsequent radar-detected signature at 4:25 PM MST registered 0.78-inch hail signatures. The NWS warning-only alerts include reports at 2:31 PM MST, 3:24 PM MST, 3:47 PM MST, 4:30 PM MST, 4:37 PM MST, 4:56 PM MST, 5:08 PM MST, 5:11 PM MST, and 5:47 PM MST. The event is classified as concluded and no additional alerts remain active.

Damage Assessment

Radar-detected segments during the late-afternoon pulse reached near-golf-ball diameters. NWS warning-only reports clustered around the 1-inch size. Hail in the 0.75–1.0 inch range commonly produces cosmetic metal dents on vehicles and can nick siding and skylights. Hail at or above about 1.75 inches is large enough to crack single-pane glass and cause localized shingle and roofing membrane damage. Hail approaching 2.78 inches carries the potential to fracture larger panes and inflict structural damage to roofing materials that already show wear. Document physical conditions before and after any repair work. Do not assume uniform coverage — hail distribution in multi-zone events is patchy and varies by neighborhood and building exposure.

What Contractors Should Know

Prioritize initial exterior surveys for properties with elevated exposure such as parked vehicles, solar arrays, and recently reroofed areas. Photograph all damage with a time-stamped workflow and capture scale references for hail impressions. Measure and record shingle granule loss, dent patterns on metal trim, and glass fractures. For roofs, note membrane punctures, lifted edges, and flashing damage. Log survey times and GPS locations for each inspection point.

Coordinate with insurers and property owners on temporary stabilization where glazing or roofing integrity is compromised. Use tarps and temporary glazing only after documenting conditions and obtaining owner consent. Schedule follow-up inspections for properties showing intermediate damage that could worsen with subsequent weather. Maintain clear chains of custody for replaced materials and dispose of debris per local regulations.

For precise radar-derived hail track and paid damage zone mapping, consult the Strike Map product for this event.