Balmorhea, TX Hail Storm – October 2026

Balmorhea, TX – October 26, 2026: a late-afternoon into early-evening multi-cell storm produced hail tracked by dual-polarization radar, with stones approaching 2.0 inches in diameter.

What Happened

The event moved through the Balmorhea warning area in the late afternoon and into the early evening. NWS alerts tracked two distinct radar hail signatures during the event. At 5:28 PM CDT (22:28 UTC) dual-polarization NEXRAD detected hail near 1.65 inches. At 6:16 PM CDT (23:16 UTC) radar-detected hail signatures increased to roughly 1.97 inches. Storm coverage was patchy but produced concentrated hail cores as it crossed the warning area around Balmorhea. This page aggregates radar detections across the affected NWS warning area for the multi-zone event.

Damage Assessment

Stones in the measured range are larger than a golf ball (1.75 inches) and below a baseball (2.75 inches) on the NWS object scale. Where those stones fell, expect denting to vehicle body panels, cracked or shattered skylights, and localized loss of granules on asphalt shingle roofs, especially on older or weathered coverings. Metal roofing can dent, and exposed mechanical equipment such as HVAC condensers and solar panels are at risk of impact damage.

Roofing inspections should focus on hail patterning rather than uniform wear. Look for circular impact marks, punctures through softer coverings, and missing shingle tabs concentrated along the storm track indicated by radar returns. Glass damage is most likely on horizontal or near-horizontal panes and skylights. Yard-level items such as irrigation equipment, outdoor furniture, and parked vehicles in the direct hail cores may show the heaviest impact.

What Contractors Should Know

Prioritize safety and documentation. Use photos with timestamps and survey notes that reference the nearest cross streets or visible landmarks in Balmorhea. Start with high-priority assets: roofs showing punctures or open seams, rooftop mechanical equipment, and vehicles that are part of a business fleet. Temporary water diversion and tarping reduce secondary water damage ahead of permanent repairs.

For roofing crews, inspect for concentrated granule loss and point-impact bruising to the mat beneath shingles. Record hail diameter estimates alongside photographic evidence. Avoid assumptions about uniform damage across an entire property; the radar-detected cores indicate that impact was likely localized. Coordinate with property owners on insurance timelines and provide itemized repair scopes that separate hail-specific damage from preexisting wear.

See the Strike Map for the radar-confirmed hail swath produced during this event.