On Thursday afternoon, August 13, 2026, a severe thunderstorm moved across the southeast Denver metro area, prompting a severe thunderstorm warning at 3:59 PM for Centennial, Parker and Lone Tree. The National Weather Service warned of hail up to ping pong ball size (1.5 inches), wind gusts to 60 mph, and a possible tornado with this storm. Hail measuring 1.25 inches (half dollar size) was reported on the ground near Parker. Hail of 1 inch or larger is capable of damaging asphalt shingle roofs, and both reported sizes from this storm are above that threshold.

Data note: The figures in this article are preliminary. They come from National Weather Service warning products and initial local storm reports from the afternoon of August 13, 2026. NOAA Storm Prediction Center preliminary storm reports for this event will be finalized within about 24 hours, and this article will be updated with the complete verified report table at that time.

What We Know So Far

This storm developed during an active severe weather afternoon along the Front Range. Here is the timeline of official National Weather Service products and reports affecting the Denver metro area on August 13:

Areas Affected

Based on the warning polygon and preliminary reports, the storm's primary impact zone runs through the southeast metro along the Douglas and Arapahoe county line:

• Parker: The strongest signal so far. A ground report of 1.25 inch half dollar hail puts Parker at the center of the damage swath. Parker sits on the Palmer Divide, one of the most hail active corridors in the United States, and this is not the town's first significant hail event of 2026.
• Centennial: Included in the 3:59 PM severe thunderstorm warning with ping pong sized hail flagged as possible. Centennial has now been inside multiple warned hail storms this season, including the June 24 event.
• Lone Tree: Also named in the warning. Homeowners along the I-25 corridor between County Line Road and RidgeGate should check for impact damage.
• Southwest metro (Lakewood, Morrison, Indian Hills, Highlands Ranch): Media reports indicate a separate strong cell tracked across the foothills communities earlier in the afternoon, with hail covering C-470 near Morrison. Hail sizes from this cell are still being verified, and we will update this article when official reports are published.

How Big Was the Hail, and Does It Damage Roofs?

Hail size is the single biggest factor in whether your roof was damaged today. Here is how the sizes reported and warned in this storm compare to the damage threshold:

Both the reported size (1.25 inches) and the warned size (1.5 inches) from this storm are above the 1 inch damage threshold. If your home was in the warning area, an inspection is worth your time even if your roof looks fine from the ground. Hail bruising is frequently invisible from the driveway but shortens shingle life and can void manufacturer warranties if left undocumented.

What To Do If You Were in the Storm's Path

1. Document what you can safely see

Photograph hailstones next to a coin or tape measure if any are still on the ground, along with dented gutters, downspouts, window screens, air conditioner fins and soft metals. Note the time hail fell at your address. This documentation supports your insurance claim's date of loss.

2. Do not climb on the roof

Wet shingles after a storm are slick, and hail damage assessment requires knowing what to look for. A professional inspection is free and safer.

3. Get an inspection before filing a claim

Not every home in a warning polygon takes damage. Hail swaths are narrow and inconsistent, and one street can be hammered while the next is untouched. An honest inspection tells you whether a claim is worth filing at all. Filing a claim that gets denied still goes on your record.

4. Watch out for storm chasers

Large metro hail events attract out of state door knockers within 24 to 48 hours. Colorado law (SB 38, the Consumer Protection / Residential Roofing Bill of Rights) requires roofing contractors to provide a written contract, allows you to rescind within 72 hours, and prohibits contractors from paying your deductible. Excel Roofing never asks for a cent up front. If a door knocker demands a deposit today, that is a red flag.

Insurance, Deductibles and Timing

Most Colorado homeowners policies cover hail damage, but wind and hail deductibles in Colorado are increasingly written as a percentage of your dwelling coverage rather than a flat dollar amount. On a home insured for $600,000, a 1 percent deductible is $6,000 and a 2 percent deductible is $12,000. Check your declarations page now, before you file, so you know your out of pocket number.

Also know your policy type. Replacement Cost Value (RCV) policies pay to replace your roof at today's prices, minus your deductible. Actual Cash Value (ACV) policies subtract depreciation, which on a 15 year old roof can leave you with a settlement near zero. If you are unsure which you have, ask your agent directly.

Insurance claims for this storm should reference the date of loss of August 13, 2026. Most policies require claims within one year of the date of loss, but documentation is strongest when the inspection happens close to the event.

What Does Roof Replacement Cost in 2026?

If your roof does need replacement, here are current 2026 price ranges for the Denver metro area, shown in both per square foot and per roofing square formats (one roofing square equals 100 square feet):

If you are replacing a roof because of hail for the second or third time, ask about Class 4 impact resistant shingles. Many Colorado insurers offer premium discounts for Class 4 roofs, and the upgrade cost is often modest compared to the long term savings on the Palmer Divide.

Frequently Asked Questions

Did it hail in Parker, Colorado on August 13, 2026?

Yes. Hail measuring 1.25 inches (half dollar size) was reported near Parker on the afternoon of August 13, 2026, during a severe thunderstorm warning that also covered Centennial and Lone Tree. The warning flagged hail up to ping pong ball size (1.5 inches).

What areas were affected by the August 13 hail storm?

The severe thunderstorm warning covered Centennial, Parker and Lone Tree in the southeast Denver metro. A separate strong cell earlier in the afternoon affected foothills communities including Morrison and the C-470 corridor, with sizes from that cell still being verified.

Can 1.25 inch hail damage my roof?

Yes. The recognized damage threshold for asphalt shingles is 1 inch. Hail at 1.25 inches commonly causes granule loss, bruising and cracked shingles, especially on roofs that are 10 years old or older.

Should I file an insurance claim right away?

Get a professional inspection first. Hail swaths are narrow, and not every home in the warning area took damage. An inspection tells you whether you have a legitimate claim before a filing goes on your record. If damage is found, file promptly and reference the August 13, 2026 date of loss.

How much does hail damage roof replacement cost in Colorado in 2026?

Asphalt shingle replacement in the Denver metro currently runs about $5.75 to $8.25 per square foot, or $575 to $825 per roofing square. Class 4 impact resistant shingles run about $6.50 to $9.50 per square foot ($650 to $950 per square). With an approved insurance claim, your out of pocket cost is typically your deductible.

How do I avoid roofing scams after a hail storm?

Be cautious with door knockers in the first days after a storm. Colorado law gives you a 72 hour right to rescind a roofing contract and prohibits contractors from paying or waiving your deductible. Never pay money up front. Excel Roofing has served Colorado since 1993 and you do not pay a cent until you are content.

Get a Free Inspection

Excel Roofing has been a family owned Colorado roofing company since 1993, with more than 55,000 customers served and Owens Corning Platinum Preferred Contractor status. If your home was in the path of today's storm, we will inspect your roof for free, document any damage, and give you an honest answer about whether a claim makes sense. No pressure, no upfront payment, no cancellation fees.

You Don't Pay A Cent Until You're Content. We're On Top Of It.