San Antonio, TX Hail Storm – May 2026

San Antonio, Texas experienced a mid-morning hail event on May 23, 2026, producing radar-detected hail up to 0.96 inches. The short-lived convective pulse moved across the metro and has concluded.

What Happened

NWS issued a severe thunderstorm warning at 8:21 AM CDT on May 23 for up to 1.0-inch hail after dual-polarization NEXRAD hail detection flagged hail cores over the northwest-to-southeast axis of the metro. Radar scans showed discrete convective cells with embedded hail cores during mid-morning. The warning covered the municipal and suburban portions of the San Antonio metro area as the cell progressed. Field activity decreased by late morning and the event concluded without extended convective redevelopment through the afternoon.

Damage Assessment

Hail measured near 1.0 inch in diameter typically produces vehicle door and hood dents and can dislodge granules from asphalt shingles. For single-family residences in the metro, expect localized cosmetic roofing damage rather than widespread structural failure at this size. Gutters and soft vinyl trim are susceptible to impact marks. No large-scale structural collapse or heavy metal deformation is consistent with sub-1.0-inch hail in the absence of repeated impacts or prolonged hail fall.

Document any visible dents to vehicle panels and photograph shingle loss at roof edges and valleys. Record locations and roof aspect to support claims and repair prioritization. If you observe cracked skylights, shattered solar glass, or large perforations in metal roofing, note their coordinates and time of discovery for insurer and contractor review.

What Contractors Should Know

Prioritize safety and triage. Assign a rapid-assessment crew to the highest-exposure neighborhoods first, focusing on streets downwind of the storm motion. For roofs, inspect for granule loss, bruised tabs, and loosened flashing. For vehicles, catalogue dents by panel and take scale-referenced photos. Use a consistent damage checklist and capture GPS-stamped images to streamline estimates and insurance submissions.

Estimate repairs conservatively for materials and labor needs. For asphalt roof repairs, plan for spot replacement of compromised shingles and inspection of underlayment where granule loss is heavy. Order common replacement materials early to avoid supply lag in the 7–14 day window after an event. Prepare written scopes that separate temporary emergency repairs from full replacements to aid insurers and property owners in decision-making.

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