Hail Storm Slams San Antonio: See Damage Photos, Forecast & Safety Tips

San Antonio woke to shattered skylights, dented cars, and lawns littered with grapefruit-sized ice after an intense hail storm barreled across the metro late Memorial Day, May 26 – 27. Neighborhoods on the Northwest Side, Far West Side, and pockets of Bexar County reported stones ranging from golf-ball to apple size, with isolated reports of grapefruit-diameter hail just before 11 p.m. What happened • A severe thunderstorm erupted along an outflow boundary around 8 p.m., quickly intensifying as it drifted southeast. • The National Weather Service placed San Antonio under a Tornado Watch and a Level 2 (Slight) risk for severe weather; primary hazards were large hail and 70 + mph straight-line winds. • HailPoint and radar estimates measured maximum diameters at 2.25 inches—bigger than tennis balls—over Leon Valley and Helotes. • KSAT Storm Chaser crews captured pelting ice near Loop 1604 and Culebra Road while visibility dropped to near zero in sheets of wind-driven rain. Damage snapshot • Auto glass repair shops across Alamo Ranch, Braun Station, and Stone Oak reported hundreds of appointments before dawn. • Roofers logged widespread asphalt-shingle bruising; metal roofing showed unmistakable dimpling. • CPS Energy recorded more than 18,000 outages at the peak, most restored by 5 a.m. • No storm-related fatalities were confirmed, but EMS treated several residents for minor cuts from broken windows. Why it was so intense The clash of a weak late-season cold front with Gulf moisture produced explosive updrafts. Those rising currents allowed hailstones to cycle repeatedly above the freezing level, layering ice until gravity overcame the updraft strength. A dry start to 2025 meant rain-cooled air evaporated quickly aloft, enhancing downdrafts and driving hail to the ground with extra force. What’s next in the forecast Meteorologists caution that the same stalled boundary may regenerate storms each afternoon through mid-week. While the threat for grapefruit-size hail decreases, 1–2 inch stones and localized flooding remain possible, especially north and east of Loop 410. Safety & preparedness tips 1. Move vehicles under covered parking or use thick blankets to shield windshields. 2. Close blinds and curtains; interior rooms without windows are safest during warnings. 3. After the storm, photograph every dent or broken shingle before temporary repairs—insurers often require time-stamped evidence. 4. Check attic ceilings for new water spots; hail can punch pinholes that leak with the next rain. 5. Sign up for Wireless Emergency Alerts and follow the NWS San Antonio radar loop before commuting. How to report damage • File online at tdi.texas.gov or call your carrier’s 24-hour claims line. • The City of San Antonio asks residents to dial 311 for downed limbs blocking roadways. • Share hail measurements with the NWS via the mPING app; citizen reports improve storm verification and future warnings. Helpful resources • Live radar & interactive hail swath maps: KSAT Weather Authority app. • Roofing license lookup: texas.gov/contractors. • Temporary car-rental assistance: Texas Department of Insurance FAQs. Bottom line The 2025 Memorial Day hail storm is already being compared to the costly April 2016 event. With more storms lurking, staying weather-aware and acting quickly on warnings can protect property—and lives—in South-Central Texas.