Auburndale, WI Hail Storm – September 2026

A multi-zone hail event affected Auburndale, WI on September 4, 2026, producing a peak hail size of 1.49 inches during the late afternoon. The episode delivered radar-detected hail and an NWS warning across adjacent zones and concluded that evening.

What Happened

The storm produced two distinct alert pulses in the Auburndale metro area. The first pulse occurred in the late afternoon at 5:48 PM CDT and was flagged by dual-polarization radar (NEXRAD) with hail detection near 1.43 inches. A second pulse followed at 6:29 PM CDT and generated a local NWS warning citing 0.75-inch hail during the early evening.

This page aggregates the multi-zone activity for Auburndale on September 4, 2026. Radar systems detected a primary hail swath in the 5:30 to 6:15 PM CDT window while the NWS warning area extended through 6:45 PM CDT. The storm has concluded.

Damage Assessment

Observed hail sizes ranged from near-penny size to approximately 1.5 inches. Hail near 0.75 inch can produce cosmetic damage to unprotected vinyl and aluminum siding and chip paint on vehicles. Hail approaching 1.5 inches increases the likelihood of denting vehicle body panels, breaking skylight glass, and causing granular loss on asphalt shingles, especially on south- and west-facing slopes that received the main late-afternoon pulse.

Timing elevated exposure for vehicles parked outdoors during the 5:30 to 6:30 PM CDT period. Areas within the radar-detected track should prioritize inspections of roofing, vehicle panels, outdoor HVAC units, and glazing. If visible impact marks or cracked glass are present, document location, time, and size with date-stamped photographs.

What Contractors Should Know

Roofing and restoration contractors should plan targeted field inspections in Auburndale neighborhoods that intersect the warning area and the later radar-detected track. Prioritize roofs with older asphalt shingles and metal panels for close inspection of granule loss, denting, and punctures. For vehicle claim assessments, note that dents consistent with 1.49-inch impacts often require paintless dent repair or panel replacement depending on coating damage.

Document findings methodically. Capture high-resolution photos from multiple angles, note exact addresses and the 5:48 PM CDT to 6:29 PM CDT exposure window, and log observed hail sizes at each stop. Communicate clearly with property owners about probable outcomes and recommended next steps. Use the billing and reporting formats preferred by local insurers when preparing estimates.

The paid Strike Map shows the radar-confirmed hail swath for this event.