New Lexington, OH Hail Storm – May 2026

New Lexington, OH experienced repeated hail-producing storms on May 27, 2026, with peak hail measured at 1.73 inches. The event produced multiple NWS warning area issuances and one dual-polarization radar hail detection.

What Happened

Eleven NWS alerts covered the event, spanning 12:30 PM EDT to 5:22 PM EDT on May 27. Alerts were issued intermittently from mid-day into the early evening as the storm complex tracked across the metro area. A dual-polarization radar hail signature was recorded around 3:12 PM EDT and indicated hail to 1.27 inches. The remainder of the alerts were issued as NWS warning area notifications with reported hail sizes between 0.75 and 1.00 inches in the warning text.

Storm behavior was repeated pulse convection with localized intensification in the late afternoon. The pattern produced concentrated hail reports and a multi-zone aggregate hail event for New Lexington. The largest hail size associated with the overall event measured 1.73 inches.

Damage Assessment

Hail in the three-quarter-inch range typically produces cosmetic damage to vehicle paint and chips to window seals in exposed vehicles. Roofing granular loss on asphalt shingles and shallow dents to aluminum or vinyl siding are common at that size. In locations in New Lexington where hail approached or exceeded 1.25 inches, contractors should expect deeper sheet-metal dents on vehicles, potential cracking of single-pane skylights, and localized punctures on thin metal roofing.

For this specific event, areas that reported repeated alerts and the radar-detected core are the highest-probability zones for these damage types. Inspectors should prioritize exposed parking, residential roofing installed before 2010, and south- and west-facing siding that took the brunt of the storm track. Photographic documentation tagged to time and GPS will be essential when matching field observations to the event timeline.

What Contractors Should Know

Begin with a rapid visual reconnaissance of the storm corridor identified by the alerts. Prioritize roof decking integrity, shingle granule loss, and visible water entry points. For automobiles, focus on exposed fleets and service yards that align with the multi-alert track. Use short, dated inspection notes and a limited checklist to capture consistent observations across properties.

Document repairs with high-resolution photos, GPS coordinates, and timestamps that can be cross-referenced to the alert window and the radar-detected signature. Provide clients with clear scope items: temporary tarps for active leaks, shingle-by-shingle photos for insurer files, and metal work quotes with measured dent counts where feasible. Coordinate inspection routes to match the mapped hail track. The paid Strike Map product provides the precise radar-derived hail track for targeted field work.