St. Cloud, FL Hail Storm – August 2026

St. Cloud, FL experienced a concluded hail-producing thunderstorm on August 20, 2026, producing stones up to 1.91 inches in diameter in the late afternoon and early evening.

What Happened

A concentrated convective cell moved across St. Cloud in the late afternoon into early evening. Three NWS alerts were issued for the event. At 4:39 PM EDT, dual-polarization radar detected hail at 1.13 inches within the warning area. At 5:03 PM EDT, an NWS warning reported 0.75-inch hail in a separate warning area. At 5:59 PM EDT, a later NWS warning noted 0.88-inch hail. The event is concluded and all times above use local time.

Radar-detected returns and the sequence of warnings indicate the strongest core passed through the city between the first and third alerts. Portions of the metro saw repeated hail reports as the cell propagated northeast. The largest measurement for the storm event was recorded within the overall storm footprint.

Damage Assessment

Recorded hail sizes during the event ranged from modest stones noted in the 5:03 PM warning to larger, radar-detected stones earlier in the sequence and a final measured peak for the event. Hail in the three-quarter- to near-two-inch range will commonly produce roof shingle loss, dented metal surfaces, fractured skylights, and windshield damage where exposure was direct.

Inspect property in the areas covered by the 5:03 PM and 5:59 PM NWS warning areas first, then prioritize locations under the 4:39 PM radar-detected hail report. Check asphalt shingles for granule loss and cracked tabs, examine metal flashing and HVAC condenser units for dents, and inspect vehicle panels and glass for impact marks. Photograph all damage with scale references and record location and time for each photo.

What Contractors Should Know

Begin external surveys from safe staging areas on public streets. Use ladders and fall protection consistent with local regulations. Document existing conditions before making repairs. Measure representative hail stones where available and note the alert time and NWS warning area that covered the property. Tarp only where structures have open penetrations or active leaks. Use temporary covers sized and secured to prevent further water entry until permanent repairs are scheduled.

Estimate repair scope by roof area and by observed shingle loss rather than by isolated surface dents. For automotive glass claims, note the windshield condition and whether chips propagated. Provide clients with photographic estimates that reference the applicable NWS warning areas and the radar-detected hail report time stamps. Coordinate with insurers using the specific alert times when submitting loss notices.

For a precise, radar-derived hail track and the event's mapped damage zone, consult the Strike Map for this storm.