Orlando, FL Hail Storm – July 2026

Orlando, FL – July 13, 2026. A late-afternoon to late-evening thunderstorm produced hail up to 1.28 inches across the Orlando metro. The system generated a sequence of NWS warnings and two radar-detected hail signatures.

What Happened

The storm moved through the Orlando metro between mid-afternoon and late evening on July 13, 2026. The first NWS warning issued for the event arrived at 3:55 PM EDT, and alerts continued intermittently until a final warning at 10:05 PM EDT. In total, the National Weather Service issued 10 alerts tied to this storm. Eight alerts were issued as NWS warning only. Two alerts included dual-polarization radar detection of hail at 6:44 PM EDT and 8:16 PM EDT.

Reported hail sizes in the warning sequence ranged from three-quarter inch estimates up to 1 inch in several warnings. One intermediate warning reported 0.88 inch near mid-afternoon. Radar-detected signatures corresponded to a 0.75-inch detection at 6:44 PM EDT and a 1-inch detection at 8:16 PM EDT. The late evening portion of the sequence included additional NWS warnings citing near-inch hail through about 9 PM.

Storm coverage was multi-zone across the Orlando metropolitan area, with warnings issued repeatedly along the storm’s track. The event is classified as concluded. Ground-observed verification beyond the NWS warning text and radar detections was limited in the available alert stream.

Damage Assessment

Hail in the three-quarter- to near-inch range commonly produces cosmetic damage to painted surfaces and soft metals. Expect paint pitting on vehicles, small dents on aluminum trim and gutters, and increased shingle granule loss where asphalt shingles were already aged or sun-damaged. Isolated stones exceeded one inch. Those stones can cause driver-side dents, cracked skylights, and accelerated wear on air-conditioning condenser fins and wet areas of outdoor furniture.

Roof impacts are most likely where shingles were older than 10 years or already compromised. Newer architectural shingles are less likely to lose large sections but can show granule loss and bruising along leading edges. Vehicle owners may report dent clusters on exposed panels. Screens, solar panels, and exposed plastics are vulnerable to puncture from stones just over one inch.

What Contractors Should Know

Prioritize visual roof and exterior inspections where NWS warnings and radar detections overlapped. Photograph all affected surfaces with scale references. Check for granule loss, bruising, torn shingle tabs, and dents in soft metal components. Document HVAC condenser fins, gutter alignment, and vehicle panels when on-site. Note the timing of inspections relative to the event to avoid working on wet or heat-compromised materials.

Schedule repairs by severity and safety. Tarp immediate leaks and stabilize loose roofing materials before high-wind weather returns. Replace or reinforce severely bruised shingles rather than applying only sealant where structural integrity is questionable. Provide line-item estimates for granule replacement, shingle patching, and full shingle replacement, and include photo documentation for each task.