Caliente, NV Hail Storm – October 2026

Caliente, Nevada experienced a multi-zone hail event on October 21–22, 2026 that produced a peak 2.94-inch stone and multiple radar-detected signatures and NWS warnings. The event is concluded.

What Happened

The storm produced seven NWS alerts across a roughly 14-hour span beginning late evening on October 21 and continuing into the following afternoon. Initial radar detection occurred at 10:07 PM PDT on October 21 with a 1.70-inch radar-derived hail signature. An NWS warning-only alert followed at 10:28 PM PDT citing 1.00-inch hail. Radar again identified larger echoes at 10:32 PM PDT with a 1.87-inch signature.

Activity persisted overnight and into mid-morning. A radar-detected 1.00-inch signal was logged at 1:02 AM PDT on October 22. At 6:23 AM PDT radar indicated 1.39-inch hail signatures. Late morning at 11:50 AM PDT an NWS warning-only alert referenced 1.00-inch hail, and a final radar-derived detection at 12:47 PM PDT registered 1.13-inch hail.

Across the sequence, detections alternated between dual-polarization NEXRAD hail detection and NWS warning-only alerts. The pattern indicates multiple hail-producing cells traversed separate zones in and around Caliente between late evening and early afternoon. The event is no longer active.

Damage Assessment

Radar detections during the event spanned a practical range from roughly 1.00 inch up to stones near 3.00 inches across separate zones. Stones at the lower end of that range correspond to US quarter and golf-ball categories and commonly cause cosmetic vehicle damage and denting to aluminum and thin metal surfaces. Hail in the 1.75-inch (golf ball) to 2.75-inch (baseball) range increases the probability of shattered single-pane glass, broken skylights, and substantial dents to vehicle roofs, hoods, and trunk lids.

Stones approaching the 3.00-inch scale pose a higher risk to roof coverings, particularly older or mechanically fastened asphalt shingles, clay tiles, and agricultural coverings. Expect localized structural compromise where large stones impacted exposed decking or older roofing systems. Where radar-detected signatures clustered over developed parcels in Caliente, elevated risk exists for exposed vehicles, rooftop-mounted equipment, and small outbuildings.

What Contractors Should Know

Prioritize a documented triage. Begin with external inspections for broken glass, punctured skylights, and areas of roofing with missing or fractured shingles. Photograph all findings with location references and time-stamps. Use temporary tarping only where decking is exposed. Secure permits and use fall protection when working on pitched or tiled roofs.

Order materials early for shingles, flashing, and underlayment replacements. Inspect HVAC condensers, solar panels, and antenna mounts for dents and misalignment. For insurance-ready repairs, provide clear before-and-after imagery and itemized repair estimates tied to specific addresses. For broader planning, coordinate crews to cover multiple small-loss locations in the immediate Caliente area rather than staging for single large-loss jobs.