Overview
On April 28, 2026, multiple rounds of severe thunderstorms produced widespread large hail from the southern Plains and Ozarks into parts of the lower Mississippi/Tennessee Valleys and Southeast. Very large to giant hail, roughly 1.75 inches to 4.5 inches in diameter, was a leading hazard, but damaging winds and a few tornadoes were also part of the severe weather threat.
Giant hail hits Missouri
In southwest Missouri, a destructive hailstorm struck Springfield and surrounding Greene County. Preliminary Storm Prediction Center (SPC) reports included hail up to 4.75 inches in western Springfield and 4-inch hail elsewhere in Greene County. Damage reports included vehicles, homes, airport property, downed power lines, power outages, and damaged gas meters.
Figure: Map of hail verification for April 28, 2026 in Springfield, Missouri
Data source: Cotality Weather Insight, 2026
At Springfield-Branson National Airport, officials said 2- to 3-inch hail affected the entire 3,300-acre airport property. The hail damaged dozens of traveler and rental vehicles. The airport remained open, but officials expected the storm to affect airline schedules for several hours and possibly longer while damage assessments continued.
Impacts in Dallas Fort-Worth
Later in the day, giant hail hit parts of the Dallas-Fort Worth region southwest and south of Fort Worth, especially Johnson County. Preliminary SPC reports included 4.5-inch hail on Highway 171 between Cresson and Godley, 3.5-inch measured hail east of Godley, and 3-inch wind-driven hail north of Godley that broke home windows. The storm produced additional very large hail near Cleburne and Itasca.
Figure: Map of hail verification for April 28, 2026 in Dallas-Fort Worth Metropolitan Area
Data source: Cotality Weather Insight, 2026
The worst hail cores largely missed the Dallas and Fort Worth urban centers, but damaging hail still affected surrounding communities. Supercells south and southwest of Fort Worth produced numerous preliminary reports of large-to-giant hail.
Cotality will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates when available.
