El Paso, TX Hail Storm – May 2026

El Paso, TX experienced a hail-producing severe thunderstorm sequence during the late afternoon and early evening of May 10, 2026. The event produced radar-detected hail up to 1.46 inches and concluded that evening.

What Happened

The storm sequence produced two NWS alerts across the El Paso metro. The first alert issued at 4:28 PM CDT advised 0.75-inch hail and was classified as NWS warning only. The second alert issued at 6:41 PM CDT reported larger hail detected by dual-polarization radar. Observations cover multiple response zones within the El Paso metro and are presented here as a multi-zone aggregate report. The event moved through the area in late afternoon into early evening and had concluded by local nightfall.

Radar returns showed strong reflectivity cores during the later portion of the event. Dual-polarization signatures supported hydrometeor identification consistent with hail in the hail-producing cores. The alert sequence reflects an initial warning-based estimate followed by a later radar-detected increase in hail size across the metro.

Damage Assessment

Alerted hail sizes for this event ranged from 0.75 to 1.46 inches. Hail in that size range can dent vehicle panels, crack or shatter skylights, and displace or fracture asphalt shingle granules. Older or weathered roofing systems are at higher risk of shingle loss and accelerated degradation when struck by hail this size. Exterior metal surfaces, HVAC condenser fins, and exposed photovoltaic panel surfaces are also susceptible to impact damage.

Where the dual-polarization radar signature overlapped residential and commercial areas, expect concentrated strike density rather than uniform coverage across the entire metro. Field verification is required to identify isolated severe impacts. No generalized claim of widespread structural failure is asserted here; assessments should be based on on-site inspection tied to the alert times and radar detection window.

What Contractors Should Know

Prioritize safety and documentation on arrival. Wear appropriate fall protection and hard hats when performing elevated inspections. Photograph damage with a visible scale and a time stamp. Record exact locations, roof slope, material type, and evidence of shingle granule loss or punctures. For vehicle claims, photograph dents and broken glass with reference objects for scale.

Triage repairs by risk and visibility. Secure temporary tarps on roofs showing punctures or open seams to prevent water intrusion. Inspect and straighten or replace damaged HVAC fins and assess solar panels for microfractures or output loss. Include the NWS warning time (4:28 PM CDT) and the radar-detected event time (6:41 PM CDT) in inspection reports to correlate observed damage to the storm timeline. Contractors needing precise hail track data can purchase the Strike Map for this event to locate the paid product damage zone and refine field assignment.