Texas hail season runs from March through June, and May is usually the busiest month. Hail can fall in any month, and there is a smaller second peak in the fall. Timing shifts by region: the Panhandle and North Texas peak a little earlier or later than Central Texas, where the worst storms tend to arrive in late spring. Below you will find the months, the regional differences, and a simple plan for before and after a storm.
TL;DR
- Peak months: March through June. NWS San Angelo's analysis found 94% of very large hail (2.75 inches or larger) in West Central Texas fell between March and June.
- Busiest single month: May statewide. Hailstorm Report's tally of NOAA reports puts April, May and June at 57% of Texas hail days since 2015.
- Not just spring: Texas has logged hail days in every month, and fall brings a smaller second peak.
- After a storm: document the damage, prevent further damage, file promptly, and get more than one estimate, as the Texas Department of Insurance advises.
- Best time to prepare: February and early March, before the peak starts.
Table of Contents
- When hail season starts and ends in Texas
- Month-by-month: what the numbers show
- How timing differs across Texas
- Is Texas really the hail capital?
- Prepare before the season starts
- During a hailstorm
- After the storm: a practical plan
- Perspective: why we tell homeowners to act before the season
- Need help after a hailstorm?
- FAQ
- Sources
When hail season starts and ends in Texas
Think of the main season as March through June. In that window, thunderstorms get the heat, moisture and lift they need to build the strong updrafts that grow hailstones. NOAA's National Severe Storms Laboratory explains that updrafts carry raindrops into extremely cold air where they freeze, and the stones grow until they are too heavy for the updraft to hold.
NWS research backs up the spring peak. The San Angelo office's study of West Central Texas found that severe and very large hail occurs much more often from March through June than at any other time of year. The same study notes that very large hail is fairly rare outside the spring months.
Within that window, May tends to be the busiest month for the state as a whole. April and June are close behind. If you want one date range to remember, plan for roughly mid-March to the end of June, with the heaviest risk in the middle.
Month-by-month: what the numbers show
Hailstorm Report, which compiles NOAA hail reports since 2015, counts 1,075 hail days in Texas in that period. April, May and June account for 617 of them. It also reports that the most common hour for hail is around 5 PM Central time, when afternoon heating is at its peak.
That does not mean the rest of the year is safe. The same data shows hail days in every month, including these totals:
| Month | Hail days in Texas since 2015 |
|---|---|
| January | 25 |
| February | 28 |
| July | 72 |
| August | 71 |
| September | 59 |
| October | 44 |
| November | 32 |
| December | 23 |
Most of those off-season stones are small. Still, a single large-hail day in October can damage a roof as badly as one in May. The National Weather Service's Skywarn training material notes that severe thunderstorm hazards peak in March through May but can occur any time of year, with a secondary peak in November.
How timing differs across Texas
Texas covers more than 268,000 square miles and 10 climate zones, according to the Texas Department of Insurance, so one calendar does not fit every town. Here is how the season generally plays out by region.
Panhandle and West Texas
The Amarillo area has a later, longer season. An NWS Amarillo climatology study found that more than 93% of severe hail events in the Texas and Oklahoma Panhandles fell between May and September, with June as the peak month. Severe hail reports are extremely rare from November through February. The study ties the high frequency to a favorable mix of instability and wind shear in May and June.
North Texas and Dallas-Fort Worth
North Texas sits closer to the southern edge of the corridor often called Hail Alley. For DFW, April is typically the peak month, and the busy stretch runs from March into June. Late fall can bring a second round, so a North Texas homeowner should not relax once June ends.
Central Texas, Austin and San Antonio
In the Hill Country and around Austin and San Antonio, the worst hail usually shows up in late spring, with May the most common peak and occasional storms stretching into early June. Large stones can still arrive earlier. Homes here are exposed to hail, wind and heavy rain from the same storm systems, so a roof that gets one bad hit often needs a full look at shingles, flashing, gutters and siding.
Houston and the coast
The Gulf Coast sees severe hail less often than the rest of the state. The NWS Houston/Galveston office classifies hail of 1 inch or larger as large, damaging hail, and notes that severe thunderstorms in southeast Texas are most common in the afternoon and evening. Rare does not mean never, so the same inspection habits apply.
Is Texas really the hail capital?
By the numbers, yes. The Insurance Information Institute's hail statistics page lists Texas with 902 major hail events (stones 1 inch or larger) in 2025, against 375 in Kansas and 369 in Oklahoma, out of 5,432 nationwide.
The trend has also pushed upward. According to IBHS data reported by Roofing Contractor, Texas had 783 major hail events in 2015, 1,123 in 2023 and 878 in 2024. Climate models cited in the same article project that the frequency of the largest stones (over 2 inches) could rise by up to 75% by the end of the century.
The cost side is growing too. Cotality's 2025 report found more than 235,000 Texas homes hit by damaging hail (2 inches or greater) in 2025, far more than any other state. It also found that the Texas Triangle of DFW, Houston, Austin and San Antonio holds more than $2.2 trillion in exposed replacement cost value in areas with moderate or greater hail risk.
The biggest stones on record
The Texas Climate Center reported that a stone of potentially 7.00 inches fell in Vigo Park, Swisher County, on June 2, 2024. That would top the previous state record of 6.42 inches in Hondo on April 28, 2021. Hondo is in the Hill Country, which is a good reminder that Central Texas can see extreme hail too.
Prepare before the season starts
The best time to get ready is late winter, before the first big storm of the year. A short checklist:
- Schedule a roof check. Look for lifted or cracked shingles, worn flashing, loose gutters and exposed nail heads. Our five ground checks for homeowners take about 15 minutes with binoculars and no ladder.
- Photograph your home now. Dated photos of the roof, siding, gutters and windows give you a baseline if you need to file later.
- Review your policy. Look up your wind and hail deductible and whether it is a flat amount or a percentage of your home's value. Our guide to the roof deductible in Texas shows how it works.
- Clear the yard. Trim branches that hang over the roof and secure loose items. Outdoor equipment matters as well, and keeping airflow open around outdoor AC units is part of getting the exterior ready for storm season.
- Plan your parking. TDI advises pulling vehicles into a garage if hail is forecast.
- Set up alerts. The NWS Houston/Galveston guide recommends a NOAA Weather Radio and knowing your shelter spot, ideally an interior room on the lowest floor away from windows.
If your roof is already near the end of its life, hail will find the weak spots first. Our 30% rule for repair versus replacement helps you decide before storm season rather than after. If you are weighing tougher materials, see whether impact resistant shingles make sense for your home.
During a hailstorm
Safety comes first, and the roof can wait.
- Stay inside and away from windows and skylights.
- Seek shelter right away when a Severe Thunderstorm Warning is issued, as the NWS advises.
- Do not stop under a bridge or overpass if you are driving. TDI specifically warns against this.
- Do not go onto the roof or into the yard to check for damage until the storm has passed.
After the storm: a practical plan
Hail damage is not always visible from the ground, so give it a methodical review. These steps follow the Texas Department of Insurance guidance on what to do next.
- Document everything. Take photos and video of dented gutters, damaged siding, cracked shingles, broken windows and any dents on vehicles.
- Prevent further damage. Remove standing water, cover broken windows, and tarp exposed areas. Keep every receipt for temporary repairs. Our first-hour tarping guide walks through the 2x4 method.
- File promptly. TDI says to file as soon as possible, and to be available when the adjuster visits.
- Get an inspection. Even small hail can matter. Read when a hail roof inspection is worth it, and follow our 24 to 48 hour checklist for Central Texas.
- Collect more than one estimate. Our guide to storm damage inspection with photos and three bids shows how to line them up.
Before you file, our five-step guide on what to do after roof hail damage covers the order that keeps your claim clean. Wind often arrives with hail, so also read about wind damage to a roof.
Avoiding storm-chaser trouble
After big storms, out-of-town crews often knock on doors. TDI warns that not every company that reaches out after a storm is legitimate. Its advice:
- Get more than one repair estimate.
- Check references and phone numbers.
- Do not pay in full up front.
- Avoid any contractor who offers to waive your deductible, which is illegal under Texas law.
- Never sign a contract with blank spaces.
A local contractor with a track record in your area is easier to reach if something needs fixing a year later.
Perspective: why we tell homeowners to act before the season
We work on Central Texas roofs and siding every year, and the pattern is consistent: the homeowners who do best are the ones who knew their roof's condition before the storm hit.
Our advice is simple. Get your roof looked at in late winter. After any storm with hail an inch or larger, get it inspected again, even if nothing looks wrong from the driveway. Then collect more than one estimate. We encourage this because we back our work with a Best Price Guarantee and we want you to be sure you are getting real value.
Insurance is the part that overwhelms people. Our team guides homeowners through the claims process so that a payout actually turns into a roof that lasts. Durable materials, clear communication and honest local knowledge of Texas weather are what we build every job around.
Dan
Need help after a hailstorm?
If hail has hit your home, we can inspect your roof and siding, explain what we find, and give you a free estimate. We repair and replace asphalt shingle and metal roofs, install James Hardie siding, and guide you through the insurance claim from start to finish. Our Best Price Guarantee is there so you can compare estimates with confidence.
Start on our roofing page for repair and replacement, see how Insurance Made Easy works, or browse the project gallery to see finished work. Siding took a hit as well? Visit our siding page.
FAQ
What months does it usually hail in Texas?
March through June is the core season, and May is typically the busiest month. NOAA-based data shows April, May and June making up 57% of Texas hail days since 2015. Hail has been reported in every month, with a smaller second peak in the fall.
When is hail season in North Texas?
In North Texas, including DFW, the season generally runs March through June, with April often the peak. Late April through mid-May is when many homeowners see the most active weather. A fall round of storms is possible, so keep your roof inspection habits going through November.
Which state has the worst hail?
Texas has the most major hail events. The Insurance Information Institute counted 902 in 2025, ahead of Kansas with 375 and Oklahoma with 369. Hail Alley, where Nebraska, Colorado and Wyoming meet, sees more hail days per year, but Texas leads in damaging events.
What is the largest hailstone ever recorded in Texas?
The Texas Climate Center reports that a stone of potentially 7.00 inches fell in Vigo Park, Swisher County, on June 2, 2024. That would beat the earlier record of 6.42 inches in Hondo in April 2021.
How soon should I file a claim after hail damage?
File as soon as possible, per the Texas Department of Insurance. Take photos first, protect the home from further damage, and keep receipts for temporary repairs. Then get an inspection and more than one estimate.
Sources
- NWS San Angelo, Analysis of Historical Hail Size Distribution
- Hailstorm Report, When Is Hail Season in Texas
- NOAA NSSL, Severe Weather 101: Hail Basics
- Texas Department of Insurance, Texas summer storm safety
- NWS Amarillo, Severe Convective Storm Climatology
- Triple-I, Facts + Statistics: Hail
- Roofing Contractor, Texas Remains No. 1 for Most Major Hail Events
- Cotality, Hail Now a Leading Driver of Insured Losses
- Texas Climate Center, June 2024 Climate Summary
- Texas Department of Insurance, Hail damage to your home or car
- Keep airflow open around outdoor AC units