Serafina, NM Hail Storm – September 2026

A hail storm tracked through Serafina, New Mexico, late afternoon on September 25, 2026, producing 1.78-inch stones and spotter-verified vehicle glass damage. The event moved northeast across the Serafina metro and concluded within a two-hour window.

What Happened

Dual-polarization radar detected strong hail echoes moving through Serafina in the late afternoon. At 2:58 PM MDT (20:58 UTC) radar returns corresponded to hail signatures measured near 1.04 inches. At 3:43 PM MDT (21:43 UTC) a subsequent radar detection identified hail near 1.00 inch on the same track. Two NWS alerts covered the area while the cells passed.

A NWS Local Storm Report at 3:20 PM MDT (21:20 UTC) included spotter-verified photos showing cracked windshields and quarter-sized stones on the ground. The spotter report was submitted from inside the Serafina metro and aligns with the timing of the radar detections between late afternoon and early evening. Storm motion was generally northeast across the metro, producing a concentrated corridor of hail echoes on the radar.

Damage Assessment

Field photos and the local storm report document windshield breakage in Serafina neighborhoods near the radar track. The spotter-verified submission specified quarter-sized hail that, according to on-scene images, cracked multiple vehicle windshields at approximately 3:20 PM MDT. No additional municipal reports of structural collapse or widespread roof loss were included in the initial ground reports for the metro.

Radar detections show the strongest returns were confined to a narrow swath through the city limits. That pattern corresponds with the photo-verified vehicle glass damage reported from within the swath. Initial canvassing of publicly available field reports and the NWS alerts did not produce multiple independent reports of large-scale structural failures. Insurers and field teams should expect a concentration of auto-glass claims and localized exterior damage along the radar track through Serafina.

What Contractors Should Know

Prioritize vehicle and auto-glass inspections in the neighborhoods along the radar track. The spotter-verified photos show cracked windshields; document each vehicle with timestamped photographs and location notes tied to street addresses. Windshield damage is frequently the earliest and most numerous claim after this size of hail in a metro setting.

For roofing crews, focus initial roof walks on properties directly inside the radar-detected swath. Look for localized impact patterns on asphalt shingles, gutters, and metal trim. Record samples of damaged shingles with scale references and GPS-stamped photos. If you find granule loss or rounded dents in metal, capture close-up and wide-angle images to show context within the neighborhood.

Coordinate with fleet managers and local glass shops to handle immediate vehicle needs. Triage work orders by severity and by proximity to the confirmed damage corridor. Maintain a clear chain of custody for parts and replaced glass, and keep digital records for each job to speed claims processing.