Birmingham, AL Hail Storm – September 2026

A multi-zone severe hail event is tracking through Birmingham, AL on September 21, 2026, producing hail up to 1.66 in. The storm is active and continuing to produce radar-detected hail and repeated NWS warning areas.

What Happened

The system began producing hail in the metro during mid-afternoon and has issued eight distinct NWS alerts across the day. Alerts were issued at:

• 1:00 PM CDT — 1.17 in hail, detected on dual-polarization NEXRAD radar.
• 3:34 PM CDT — 0.75 in hail, NWS warning only.
• 4:13 PM CDT — 0.75 in hail, NWS warning only.
• 5:25 PM CDT — 0.75 in hail, NWS warning only.
• 5:57 PM CDT — 1.00 in hail, NWS warning only.
• 7:36 PM CDT — 1.00 in hail, NWS warning only.
• 8:53 PM CDT — 1.53 in hail, detected on dual-polarization NEXRAD radar.
• 9:10 PM CDT — 1.00 in hail, NWS warning only.

Radar returns include multiple echo cores moving through the Birmingham metro from early afternoon into the evening. Dual-polarization radar detected stronger hail signatures at 1:00 PM CDT and 8:53 PM CDT. Other alerts are flagged as NWS warning only, indicating warning-area coverage without a corresponding radar hail detection in the NEXRAD-derived products. The event remains active and is continuing to produce localized hail cores across the metro.

Damage Assessment

Radar analysis shows hail generally ranging from about 0.75 in to pockets above 1.5 in across the Birmingham metro. Hail near 0.75 in to 1.0 in commonly scours leaves and can chip vehicle paint on exposed panels. Those signatures match multiple mid- and late-afternoon NWS warning areas over central and eastern portions of the metro.

Pockets where radar detected hail above 1.5 in are large enough to dent unprotected vehicle bodies and damage asphalt shingles on residential rooftops. In those pockets, dealerships, commercial vehicle yards, and unshaded street parking are at higher risk for metal-panel dents. Roof coverings with exposed granules are susceptible to accelerated wear where hail densities are higher within the radar-derived swath.

What Contractors Should Know

Document conditions before any repairs. Photograph vehicle panels, roof fields, and siding using location-stamped images where available. Prioritize lots and properties that were under the late-evening radar cores. Limit access to rooftops until local authorities and site managers confirm it is safe to conduct inspections.

Estimate perimeter tarping and temporary fixes for properties with exposed interiors or broken glazing. For asphalt shingle systems, inspect for granule loss, split tabs, and depressed spots in the field rather than relying on aerial-only assessments. Schedule follow-up full inspections for properties beneath the identified radar cores and maintain notes on NWS warning areas that covered each site.