When Is Hail Season in North Texas? Why Fall Storms Count Too

WatchEscaping From Hail: Choose G3 as Your GC

Ask most folks around Argyle, TX when hail season is and they'll say spring. They're not wrong. But the weather doesn't read the calendar, and this month is a good reminder.

Out west, the Associated Press reported that hail the size of golf balls pounded northern and central Arizona. Hail pummeled roofs, shattered windows and dented cars, and the state got its first tornado watch since October 2010. The National Weather Service in Phoenix called it the most significant severe weather event in Arizona since early October 2010, with hail up to 2 inches breaking residential windows and winds over 60 mph uprooting large trees.

Closer to home, the Dallas Morning News reports that the National Weather Service's Fort Worth office is watching what it called "the strongest storm system of the fall so far" for early next week. FOX 4 says the cold front arriving late Monday into Tuesday could bring stronger storms capable of gusty downburst winds, followed by cooler temperatures.

So let's get in the know about hail season, and what to do before the next front rolls through.

When Is Hail Season in North Texas?

Spring is the main event. That's when warm, moist air off the Gulf runs into strong storm systems, and North Texas sees the most hail.

But fall has a second, smaller act. When a strong cold front pushes into warm, humid air, storms can build fast along the front. Most fall storms bring rain and wind. Some bring hail. The NWS Fort Worth forecast for next week says some strong or severe storms are possible, though the details are still uncertain. That's exactly why you prep before the storm, not after.

Here's the plain truth: you don't need a big hailstorm to have a roof problem. Wind lifts shingles. Limbs scrape and puncture. Clogged gutters back water up under the edge of the roof. A fall front can do all of that without a single hailstone.

What Should I Check Before a Fall Storm?

You can do most of this from the ground. Stay off the roof. It isn't worth the fall.

1. Look for missing or lifted shingles. Walk the yard and look at every slope. Anything flapping, missing or out of line is worth a closer look. Here's how wind damage differs from hail damage.
2. Clean the gutters and downspouts. Fall leaves are already coming down. Clogged gutters overflow at the fascia and can push water where it doesn't belong. Here's what to look for in gutters after hail.
3. Trim limbs back from the roof. Branches that touch the shingles grind them down in every wind. Our landscaping crew explains why to trim trees away from your roof.
4. Check the attic after the next rain. Grab a flashlight and look for wet decking, stains or damp insulation around vents and chimneys.
5. Tie down or put away loose stuff. Patio furniture, trampolines and decorations become projectiles in a downburst. That goes for Halloween decorations too.
6. Take lots of video now. Record every side of the house and the roof from the ground on a calm day. If something changes after a storm, you'll have a clear before-and-after for your records.

Our fall roof maintenance checklist walks through the rest.

What Should I Do After the Storm Passes?

• Look before you climb. Check the yard, the driveway, the gutters, the AC unit and the window screens. Dents and dings down low often tell you what happened up top. Here's how to tell if your roof has hail damage.
• Check windows and screens. Hail and flying debris are hard on glass. Read about hail damage to windows and screens.
• If water is coming in, act tonight. Move what you can, catch the drip and get the area dry. Here's what to do about a roof leak during a storm.
• Get a real inspection. A trained set of eyes on the roof, with photos and video, tells you what you're dealing with. Here's how a roof inspection after a storm works.
• Watch out for door knockers. After every storm, crews show up from out of town. Know how to spot a storm chaser roofer before you sign anything.

Is It Worth Planning a Stronger Roof?

If your roof is getting older, the off-season is the best time to plan, not the week after a storm when every roofer in town is booked. Impact-resistant shingles are built to stand up to hail better than standard shingles. We break down two of the options we install in CertainTeed Landmark vs. Belmont IR. And a quality roof starts before the first shingle, with the prep and the materials underneath. That's what goes under the shingles.

Why Call G3?

We're a lot more than a roofing company. G3 inspects, documents and rebuilds, and we film every roof we build so you can see the work for yourself. Here's why we film every roof we build. Watch the video on this page to see why homeowners choose G3 when hail hits.

If next week's front leaves you wondering about your roof, tell us what's happening and we'll help you understand your next step.

Tell us what's happening: (945) 300-9018.

Frequently Asked Questions

Keep learning: see our Roofing & Storm Damage page, read Why We Film Every Roof We Build, or read what homeowners say in our customer reviews.