Grants Pass, OR Hail Storm – May 2026

Grants Pass, Oregon experienced a late-afternoon hail event on May 3, 2026, producing peak stones of 1.28 inches and prompting a single NWS severe thunderstorm warning. The storm was radar-detected and is now concluded.

What Happened

The thunderstorm moved through the Grants Pass metro area in the late afternoon of May 3. The National Weather Service issued one severe thunderstorm warning for the event at 5:05 PM PDT. Dual-polarization NEXRAD radar detected hail-sized echoes consistent with the reported peak and produced a single radar-derived hail assessment for the zone. The warning covered the affected area until the storm departed the metro corridor and the event was declared concluded.

Damage Assessment

Hail of this size can dent vehicle panels, crack skylights, and strip granules from asphalt roofing. In Grants Pass, expect localized damage to parked cars, exposed HVAC condenser coils, and vinyl siding on the windward sides of structures. Skylights and solar panels are at elevated risk for impact damage where exposed. Shingle loss can accelerate roof wear and may create pathways for water intrusion in already aged roofs; inspect for soft spots and granule-free patches on slopes that received the heaviest hail.

Document conditions with geotagged photos before any repairs. Prioritize visual checks of vehicles, rooftop penetrations, and outdoor equipment. Note that hail patterns from a single storm can be highly localized; contiguous properties may show differing degrees of damage depending on exact hail paths.

What Contractors Should Know

Perform an exterior damage triage on arrival. Start with parked vehicles and ground-level assets, then move to a rooftop walk if safe access exists. Look specifically for dented metal, cracked glazing, missing shingle granules, and dented HVAC fins. Capture high-resolution photos from multiple angles and include timestamps and GPS coordinates in the report. For roofing, measure granule loss and inspect eaves and valleys for exposed felt or nail pops before recommending a full replacement.

Provide temporary protective measures when active leaks are present. Apply tarps or targeted sealants only after documenting conditions. Coordinate with property owners and insurers on scope and cost estimates, and separate emergency repairs from full replacements in billing. For solar arrays and skylights, require manufacturer-approved replacement parts and follow inverter isolation procedures prior to rooftop work.

Access the paid Strike Map for the precise hail track and the mapped damage zone in Grants Pass.