Alpine, TX Hail Storm – May 2026

A severe hail storm tracked through Alpine, TX on May 20, 2026, producing 3.76-inch stones and multiple radar-detected hail cores from late afternoon into the early hours. The event generated 19 NWS alerts and several spotter-verified reports concentrated near Alpine and along corridors south of Fort Stockton.

What Happened

NWS alerts began at 3:08 PM CDT and continued through the overnight period, with detections issued between 3:08 PM and 5:18 AM CDT. Dual-polarization radar (NEXRAD) identified a series of hail signatures ranging from sub-inch returns to strong cores; several 2-inch+ cores were detected in the 4:40–4:50 PM window and a notable radar peak of 3.47 inches was identified at 9:08 PM CDT. One alert at 11:36 PM CDT was issued as an NWS warning only.

Spotter and local storm reports punctuated the radar timeline. At 3:20 PM CDT a member of the public provided a photograph of a hailstone near Alpine estimated at about 1.5 inches. Emergency managers reported quarter-sized hail around 4:58 PM CDT roughly 16 miles south of Fort Stockton along US 385, and additional quarter-sized reports came at 5:48 PM CDT along US 285 about 21–23 miles south-southeast of Fort Stockton. Those ground observations line up with the radar-detected hail swath that moved across the Alpine metro and extended toward the Fort Stockton corridor.

Damage Assessment

Local storm reports show concentrated surface impact near Alpine and along US 385 and US 285 south of Fort Stockton. Field reports included a photographed hailstone near Alpine and multiple emergency-manager reports of quarter-sized hail between 4:58 PM and 5:48 PM CDT in the Fort Stockton area. No structural damage to buildings was recorded in the submitted local storm reports for those times and locations.

Radar-detected cores and the mapped maximum hail size indicate larger stones occurred within the broader swath. Reported sizes in the field were smaller than the largest radar-derived detections, but the presence of multiple spotter observations and repeated radar alerts documents that damaging-size hail impacted parts of the Alpine metro and travel corridors south of Fort Stockton on May 20.

What Contractors Should Know

Prioritize inspections in Alpine and along US 385 and US 285 approximately 15–23 miles south/southeast of Fort Stockton. Start with exterior vehicle panels, glass, and exposed soft surfaces where photographed and reported hail occurred. Record exact locations and times for each inspection. Use geotagged photos and reference the local times in the field reports when documenting claims.

For roofing and siding, look for localized shingle granule loss, bruising on metal panels, and concentrated impact patterns consistent with multiple hail cores passing over the same track. Check HVAC condensers and exposed mechanical equipment on the south side of structures near reported impact corridors. Log dimensions and take close-up images of any indentations or punctures for underwriting review.