Hail Rattles Austin and Surrounding Communities as Spring Storm System Rolls Through
A powerful line of thunderstorms swept across the Austin area Saturday, bringing with it large hail that pelted neighborhoods across the city and extended south into communities like San Marcos, disrupting outdoor events and sending residents scrambling for cover.
Social media lit up throughout the afternoon and evening as Austinites shared videos and photos of hailstones — some appearing to reach golf ball size — clattering against rooftops, vehicles, and sidewalks. Similar scenes played out in San Marcos, where residents posted footage of ice accumulating on lawns and streets as the storms rolled through Hays County. The imagery spread quickly, with many locals expressing a mix of awe and frustration at the sudden onslaught.
Hail coming down near Parmer and Anderson Mill in North Austin. Video captured by Morty Tortuga! @KVUE pic.twitter.com/1HP63KjGzq
— Allison Martinez (@AllisonMartTV) April 19, 2026
It looked like pea size hail at 7:46 PM at Kia of North Austin pic.twitter.com/ez0gtn5vCa
— Marco Lopez (@MarcoLoPol0) April 19, 2026
The severe weather forced the cancellation of several outdoor events that had been planned for the weekend, disappointing crowds who had looked forward to taking advantage of the spring calendar.
Organizers cited safety concerns as the storms produced not only hail but also strong, gusty winds capable of creating hazardous conditions for large gatherings.
Saturday brought scattered thunderstorms with storms capable of containing strong gusty winds, a marked departure from the warmer, drier conditions Central Texas had seen earlier in the week. Temperatures yesterday reached a high of only 71°F in the morning — a notable cooldown from highs in the upper 80s and low 90s that had dominated the region just days before.
Saturday’s storms are not an isolated event. The Austin region has been in the grip of an unsettled weather pattern in recent weeks, with a series of storm systems delivering rounds of precipitation and keeping temperatures noticeably cooler than seasonal norms.
The pattern is consistent with what meteorologists often see when a slow-moving upper-level trough digs into the south-central United States during mid-spring, funneling moisture up from the Gulf of Mexico and clashing with cooler air masses pushing down from the north.
Central Texas sits squarely in what weather experts call “Hail Alley,” and every spring the storms come — Texas averages more hail events per year than any other state in the country. April and May historically produce the most frequent and severe hail events in the Austin area, meaning residents should remain on alert as the season progresses.
For those who suffered vehicle or property damage in Saturday’s storms, experts advise documenting any damage with photographs and contacting insurance providers promptly.
Hail Alert April 18
— The Roof Shepherd (@TheRoofShepherd) April 19, 2026
Round Rock, Georgetown, and Austin, Texas.
This is what tonight’s storm looked like hitting the ground. Hail like this can damage shingles even if you don’t see leaks right away.
Most issues show up later.#AustinTexas #RoundRockTexas #GeorgetownTexas pic.twitter.com/8kastCPiYf
With more unsettled weather possible in the days ahead as the regional pattern persists, forecasters urge residents to stay weather-aware, monitor local alerts, and have a plan ready should severe storms return to the area.
MORE ON THE FORECAST CAN BE FOUND FURTHER DOWN THIS POST IN WEATHER
A serious injury collision shut down most of northbound I-35 in downtown Austin early this morning, according to police.
The crash occurred around 5:30 a.m. between Riverside Drive and Cesar Chavez Street. Officers have reduced the roadway to one lane.
South Austin residents may soon have access to more green spaces after Austin City Council approved the acquisition of over 49 acres near Manchaca for $13.4 million. (Community Impact)
Austin police are warning drivers about a growing auto theft trend involving criminals using advanced technology to break into and steal vehicles.
PODCAST
20 years after the disappearance of Holly Marie Simmons, prosecutors are dropping the charge against the man who was accused of killing her. This week, on “Inside the Investigation,” Senior Investigative Producer David Barer takes us inside the case he has followed for over a decade and explains the challenges investigators have faced trying to find her killer.
(Episode from April 18, 2026)
The husband of a missing Bexar County woman who was at one point the prime suspect in her disappearance, has been arrested in connection to the 1990 murder of a New Jersey woman.
Also in San Antonio, authorities have identified the body of a woman discovered last week in a wooded area.
The investigation began just before 9 a.m. on April 10, when officers responded to a fire reported near the Prue Trailhead. The scene was first discovered by a pair of hikers who, after noticing smoke and flames, approached the area only to find a burning body.
The Community Police Review Commission on Thursday debated whether the city should expand public reporting on Austin Police Department interactions with federal immigration authorities, as state leaders threaten to pull millions in funding over immigration-related policies.
WEATHER
SATURDAY’S HIGH / LOW TEMPERATURES
AUSTIN-BERGSTROM INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
CAMP MABRY
5-DAY FORECAST / AUSTIN, TEXAS
LAKE TRAVIS WEATHER TIMELAPSE
A participant in Saturday’s IRONMAN Texas race has died during the swimming portion of the course in The Woodlands, organizers said. An IRONMAN competition is a long-distance triathlon featuring a 2.4 mile swim, 112-mile bike ride, then a 26.2 mile run within 17 hours.
Texas Top 10 Wanted Sex Offenders – April 2026
Twelve families are suing a Texas charter school claiming a coach’s punishment led to the hospitalization of 20 students. (FOX 7 Austin)
Gas Prices
April 2026
2026
— Texas has seen one of the steeper year-over-year jumps, with regular gas up 36.1% compared to April 2025.
— Austin drivers are paying $1.14 more per gallon than a year ago — a 41% increase.
— Austin area diesel hit a four-year high of $5.43/gallon on April 9, though that’s still below the national diesel average of $5.64.
— The surge is largely attributed to the U.S. conflict with Iran and pressure on the Strait of Hormuz, through which about 20% of the world’s oil flows.
President Donald Trump has chosen Dr. Jennifer Shuford, commissioner of the Texas Department of State Health Services, to serve as deputy director and chief medical officer of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (KUT 90.5)
Governor Abbott wants to freeze property appraisals statewide for five years, but Tarrant County just tried a two-year version—and the results are shocking. Chandler Crouch joins the Jasons on the patio at Manhattan Project Brewing Co. and shares the data he tried to show the Governor and the Tarrant County Appraisal District. Crouch also gives the one thing you MUST do before the next deadline to protect your wallet.
James Henson talks with Bayliss Wagner of the Austin American-Statesman and Hearst Newspapers about her reporting on the scandals that led to Texas Congressman Tony Gonzales’ exit from the U.S. House, including the role of non-traditional and social media in the emergence of the story in mainstream media.
(Episode from April 16, 2026)
Camp Mystic Courtroom Fallout – Emotions ran high during a tense court hearing over the future of Camp Mystic, as camp leaders testified and families pressed allegations tied to last summer’s deadly floods. Dylan McKim and Adam Schwager report as lawmakers prepare to visit the site amid ongoing lawsuits, a contested injunction, and an unresolved licensing decision that could determine whether the camp reopens this summer.
SPORTS
COLLEGE BASEBALL: No. 4 Texas notched 19 strikeouts, as the Longhorns won a 3-1 pitchers’ duel over No. 11 Alabama at UFCU Disch-Falk Field on Saturday afternoon.
Texas (30-7, 11-5 SEC) tied the most punchouts in a nine-inning game in program history, matching its performances against Texas Tech on March 19, 1971, and Southwest Louisiana on March 18, 1988. (Texas Longhorns)
TODAY
The Longhorns go for the sweep.
Longhorn Nation got its first look at the 2026 Texas football team Saturday as thousands of fans packed Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium for the program’s annual Fan Day. Fans got their first in-person chance to see new faces like wide receiver Cam Coleman, linebacker Rasheem Biles, and running backs Raleek Brown and Hollywood Smothers among the many transfers.
Arch Manning looked healthy and had some nice throws today 👏
— ATX data (@data_atx) April 18, 2026
Was a shame Dia Bell was nursing an injury so didn’t get to see the arm. But I did notice he was still very involved & great attitude pic.twitter.com/mc2JtTmqvT
Play of the day, courtesy of @daylanmccutch11 😌 pic.twitter.com/LzB2Tzlr1Z
— Texas Football (@TexasFootball) April 19, 2026
Texas Tech announced Friday that it has made changes to its 2027 football schedule, including the cancellation of non‑conference games against NC State and North Texas.
MLB: On Saturday’s scoreboard, both the Texas Rangers and Houston Astros lost.
Both teams conclude their respective series today.
AL WEST STANDINGS
NBA PLAYOFFS: Luke Kennard scored a career playoff-high 27 points, LeBron James had 19 points and 13 assists, and the short-handed Los Angeles Lakers capitalized on Kevin Durant’s injury absence for a 107-98 victory over the Houston Rockets in the opener of their first-round playoff series on Saturday night. (Associated Press)
Game 2 of the series is Tuesday night in Los Angeles.
TODAY
Put the work in all week. Now it's go time. pic.twitter.com/MVRXSD4bl7
— San Antonio Spurs – x (@spurs) April 18, 2026
NHL PLAYOFFS: That did not go as planned.
Matt Boldy had two goals with an assist, Joel Ericksson Ek scored two power-play goals and rookie goalie Jesper Wallstedt stopped 27 shots in his postseason debut to help the Minnesota Wild beat the Dallas Stars 6-1 on Saturday in Game 1 of their Western Conference playoff series. (Associated Press)
Game 2 will be tomorrow night in Dallas.
Coastal state parks need durable, versatile structures, and design students need projects. See what the Gulf Coast DesignLab at the University of Texas at Austin is building in parks along the coast.
