El Paso, TX Hail Storm – August 2026

El Paso, TX recorded a compact hail event on August 6, 2026 that produced peak hail of 1.34 inches in diameter and a radar-detected hail swath across parts of the metro. The storm concluded the same day.

What Happened

Late afternoon into early evening on August 6, NWS issued a warning area at 5:39 PM CDT (22:39 UTC) after dual-polarization radar indicated hail near 1.02 inches. The event moved through the El Paso metro in a brief, concentrated path and concluded within hours. Radar returns show a focused hail swath over the single reporting zone for this storm. Local measurements and post-storm assessment returned a maximum hail measurement of 1.34 inches.

Damage Assessment

Hail reaching 1.34 inches in diameter typically produces vehicle panel dents, localized impact damage to asphalt shingles, and potential cracking of exposed single-pane glazing. For the El Paso event, expect highest impact on parked vehicles and on roof slopes oriented toward the storm track within the radar-detected swath. Inspect asphalt shingle fields for granular loss, fractured tabs, and creased or split shingles at hips and ridges. Vinyl siding can show bruising and pitting in exposed locations. Window and skylight damage is most likely where hail struck at shallow angles or where protective screens were absent.

Document roof elevations, material types, and visible storm debris. Note that hidden water intrusion can appear in the days following the event where granule loss or seam damage has occurred. Vehicle owners should be advised to photograph dent patterns and check for windshield pitting or cracks.

What Contractors Should Know

Prioritize inspections inside the radar-detected hail swath. Begin with a safety assessment and then capture a standardized set of photos: wide building elevations, close-ups of shingle tabs and flashing, and scale shots showing hail size or a ruler. Record the inspection time, GPS coordinates, and the observed hail size. For roofing, lift and inspect at least three suspect shingles per elevation to check for mat separation or embedded hail fractures. For claims involving vehicles, log dent counts by panel and photograph any glass compromise.

Bring materials and tools for temporary protection and accurate documentation. Tarping supplies, measured sample shingles, magnetic dent pullers, and calibrated scales or rulers are advisable. Coordinate work orders with property addresses that fall on the radar-derived track to avoid wasted trips. Use the paid Strike Map to align on-the-ground inspections with the precise hail track and damage zone.