Stratford, WI Hail Storm – August 2026

Stratford, WI experienced radar-detected hail late on August 11 into early August 12, 2026, with peak hail to 2.99 inches. The event produced a sequence of NWS alerts covering the metro warning area.

What Happened

The storm moved through Stratford beginning late evening on August 11 and concluded in the early hours of August 12. NWS alerts were issued across an 11-alert sequence between 10:43 PM CDT on August 11 and 2:48 AM CDT on August 12. Most alerts were based on dual-polarization radar hail detection; two alerts were published as NWS warning only.

Alert timeline (local times):

• Aug 11 · 10:43 PM CDT — 1.12-inch hail — radar-detected
• Aug 11 · 11:26 PM CDT — 1.24-inch hail — radar-detected
• Aug 12 · 12:21 AM CDT — 1.84-inch hail — radar-detected
• Aug 12 · 12:22 AM CDT — 1.25-inch hail — radar-detected
• Aug 12 · 12:27 AM CDT — 1.00-inch hail — NWS warning only
• Aug 12 · 12:34 AM CDT — 1.37-inch hail — radar-detected
• Aug 12 · 1:05 AM CDT — 1.70-inch hail — radar-detected
• Aug 12 · 1:20 AM CDT — 1.00-inch hail — radar-detected
• Aug 12 · 1:45 AM CDT — 1.00-inch hail — NWS warning only
• Aug 12 · 2:07 AM CDT — 1.31-inch hail — radar-detected
• Aug 12 · 2:48 AM CDT — 1.25-inch hail — radar-detected

Radar returns show concentrated hail signatures over the Stratford warning area during the late-night to early-morning window. The alert sequence indicates repeated hail cores moving across the metro footprint. The storm is concluded.

Damage Assessment

Radar-detected returns in Stratford ranged above the 1.00-inch severe threshold on multiple scans. Those returns, combined with the peak measurement reported for the event, indicate a mixed pattern of widespread quarter- to near-golf-ball–size hail across residential and commercial sections of the metro. Expect common outcomes aligned with these sizes: vehicle panel dents, chipped or cracked skylights, and impacts to asphalt shingle surfaces.

Structures with older or marginal roofing systems are most likely to show visible shingle fracture and granule loss after this event. Exterior soft materials and unprotected HVAC units exposed at the time of impact are at elevated risk for hail damage. Inspect vehicle fleets, exposed equipment, and greenhouses first when triaging post-storm work in Stratford.

What Contractors Should Know

Begin with a safety-first site assessment. Confirm electrical and structural hazards before performing hands-on roof work. Prioritize photo documentation with a measurable scale in every frame. Capture roof-field-level shots showing shingle edges and close-ups of fractured tabs, as well as full-property views that include neighboring reference points. Record the location and time for each photo to align claims work with the alert timeline.