A Day of Destruction
On the afternoon of July 4, 2026, a line of severe thunderstorms swept across Connecticut, unleashing ferocious winds and a hailstorm that left a swath of damage in its wake.
A Potential State Record
Preliminary measurements in Bristol indicated hailstones as large as three inches across, a dimension that, if confirmed, would eclipse the state's existing record and become a notable meteorological milestone.
The storm's powerful updrafts gave the ice particles ample time to grow, turning what began as tiny droplets into hefty pellets that struck the ground with enough force to dent metal and crack windshields.
Residents in Harwinton, Salisbury, Goshen, Torrington, New Milford, Burlington, Bristol, Southington, Ellington and Lyme reported trees uprooted, roofs torn, and windows shattered as gusts topped 70 miles per hour.
Power companies worked through the night to restore electricity, while municipalities coordinated road clearance and temporary shelter for displaced families.
The National Weather Service has opened an official review of the Bristol hail report, a process that will require corroborating evidence such as photographs, video footage and radar signatures before the record can be certified.
Forecasts for the coming days call for a low probability of scattered thunderstorms, meaning residents should remain vigilant as cleanup efforts continue.