El Paso, TX Hail Storm – May 2026

El Paso, TX experienced a late-afternoon hail event on May 25, 2026, producing peak hail near 1.17 inches as a compact thunderstorm moving across the metro. The event is concluded.

What Happened

The storm entered the El Paso metro in the late afternoon and prompted two NWS alerts. At 4:45 PM CDT (21:45 UTC) the NWS issued a warning area reporting 0.75-inch hail based on the warning text alone. At 5:12 PM CDT (22:12 UTC) dual-polarization NEXRAD radar detected hail signals consistent with roughly one inch in size along a discrete storm core. The radar-detected hail swath tracked northeast across central portions of the El Paso metro before weakening and dissipating later in the evening. The NWS warning area covered portions of the city during the alert window. The storm is no longer active.

Damage Assessment

Observed and radar-derived hail sizes clustered around an inch in diameter. Hail of that scale commonly produces denting to vehicle body panels and can fracture vinyl siding or damage unprotected skylights when impacts are frequent. Asphalt shingle granule loss and bruising is possible for roofs with existing wear. Concentrated impacts were most likely along the radar-derived hail track and within the NWS warning area that covered central El Paso neighborhoods.

There are no widely reported catastrophic roof failures associated with this event. Vehicles parked outdoors in the warning area and along the hail swath are the most likely to exhibit visible panel dents and windshield chips. Ground-level landscaping and exposed irrigation equipment frequently show leaf shredding and bruising after similar hail events.

What Contractors Should Know

Prioritize inspections for properties inside the NWS warning area and along the radar-detected hail track. Start with exposed assets: vehicles, rooftop-mounted solar arrays, skylights, and air-conditioning units. Use time-stamped photos and size references for each impact. Measure and record representative hail fragments when available. Document shingle granular loss and any punctures to soft metal or siding.

For immediate mitigation, secure loose panels and cover compromised roof penetrations with short-term tarps where safe to do so. Avoid walking on wet or recently damaged roofs without fall protection. Prepare concise inspection reports for insurers noting the alert times and whether the site falls within the NWS warning area or the radar-derived hail swath. Contractors with access to paid Strike Map data should reference it to target inspections to the precise hail track for this event.

Access the Strike Map for precise hail track data and the paid damage zone overlay.