Hail Storms in 2026 Statistics: Activity, Economic Impact, and Market Trends
Hail reports in the first half of 2026 were nearly 50% lower than the previous three years, signaling a quieter severe convective storm season.
According to Moody’s analysis of U.S. Storm Prediction Center Local Storm Reports, there were 3,706 hail reports in the first half of 2026, compared with over 7,000 in each of the previous three years and a 2005–2015 average of 4,652. This reduction was especially notable in Texas and Colorado, where hail reports dropped roughly 70% and 50% respectively versus recent averages.
Despite the decline in hail reports, commercial hail-data provider StormyLeads detected 37,958 hail events in the 2026 season through September 5, including 3,533 events with hail 2 inches or larger and 100 giant hail events of 4 inches or larger. The largest hailstone recorded reached 6.6 inches.
- Hail reports in Texas were down roughly 70% compared to the 2023–2025 average.
- Colorado hail reports were roughly half of the 2023–2025 average.
- StormyLeads detected 37,958 hail events in the 2026 season through September 5.
- The March 10–12 severe convective storm outbreak caused $5 billion in economic losses and $4 billion in insured losses.
- Swiss Re Institute estimated $28 billion in severe convective storm insured losses globally in the first half of 2026.
- State Farm paid more than $5.6 billion in hail-related claims in 2025, with Texas leading at $1.4 billion.
- The U.S. roofing market size is estimated at $34.66 billion in 2026, driven in part by hail and hurricane losses.
- The median annual wage for roofers in May 2025 was $55,440.
- HailMate reports the average insurance-restoration job closed at $14,600 in 2026.
2026 Hail Activity and Storm Reports
Moody’s analysis of SPC Local Storm Reports shows 3,706 hail reports in the first half of 2026, a near 50% reduction compared to the previous three years. Total severe storm reports numbered 15,223, including 1,159 tornado and 10,358 wind reports.
StormyLeads detected 37,958 hail events through September 5, 2026, including 3,533 events with hail 2 inches or larger and 100 giant hail events of 4 inches or larger. The largest hailstone measured 6.6 inches.
Top hail states by StormyLeads were Texas (4,623 events), Kansas (3,387), Nebraska (3,194), South Dakota (2,281), and Oklahoma (1,981), together accounting for 41% of detected U.S. hail events.
| Month | Hail Events | Source |
|---|---|---|
| January | 8 | StormyLeads |
| February | 137 | StormyLeads |
| March | 636 | StormyLeads |
| April | 6,462 | StormyLeads |
| May | 6,784 | StormyLeads |
| June | 9,015 | StormyLeads |
| July | 7,471 | StormyLeads |
| August | 6,253 | StormyLeads |
| September (to 5th) | 1,192 | StormyLeads |
Moody’s reports a near 50% reduction in hail reports in the first half of 2026 compared to previous years.
Notable Hailstones and Outbreaks
The March 2026 outbreak produced a record-breaking 6.14-inch hailstone near Kankakee, Illinois, surpassing the previous state record of 4.75 inches from 2015.
Aon reported the maximum hail size collected during the March 10 severe convective storm event in Illinois was 6.6 inches. This outbreak was the costliest Q1 event with $5 billion in economic losses and $4 billion insured losses.
State Farm noted over 50,000 claims triggered by March 2026 Midwest storms, with more than 650 hail events reported across nine states on March 10.
The largest hailstone in 2026 measured 6.6 inches during the March 10 Illinois severe storm.
Insured Loss Market and Claims Economics
Swiss Re Institute estimated global insured natural catastrophe losses at $42 billion in H1 2026, with $28 billion from severe convective storms, below the $36 billion trend estimate.
Moody’s reports that 2023–2025 each exceeded $50 billion in annual U.S. severe convective storm insured losses, while 2026 first-half losses were roughly half that amount.
The Insurance Information Institute reported $51 billion in U.S. insured losses from severe convective storms in 2025, with hail accounting for up to 80% of claims in some years.
State Farm paid over $5.6 billion in hail claims in 2025, led by Texas at $1.4 billion.
Severe convective storms generated $28 billion in insured losses globally in the first half of 2026.
Crop-Hail Insurance Market
National Crop Insurance Services reported a 2025 U.S. crop-hail industry projected premium of $1.3 billion and projected loss of $1.06 billion, with an 81.59% projected loss ratio.
Nebraska led states with $375.6 million in projected premium and $318 million in projected loss, followed by Illinois, Iowa, North Dakota, and Minnesota.
Top crop-hail insurers by premium included NAU Country Insurance Company ($279 million) and Rain & Hail LLC ($263 million).
| State | Projected Premium | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Nebraska | $375,618,638 | NCIS |
| Illinois | $140,430,508 | NCIS |
| Iowa | $118,326,586 | NCIS |
| North Dakota | $117,523,631 | NCIS |
| Minnesota | $107,561,408 | NCIS |
The U.S. crop-hail insurance industry projected $1.3 billion in premiums for 2025.
Roofing and Restoration Market Size
The U.S. roofing market size was estimated at $34.66 billion in 2026, up from $32.66 billion in 2025, with a forecast CAGR of 6.01% through 2031.
Reroofing and replacement accounted for 63.5% of roofing revenue in 2025, with residential roofing capturing 58% of revenue.
The storm-damage restoration services market was estimated at $7.96 billion globally in 2026, with a 5.36% CAGR forecast through 2032.
Hail and hurricane losses are key drivers of roofing market growth in the U.S.
Workforce and Labor Pricing
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported 166,900 roofers employed in 2025, projected to grow 5% to 175,600 by 2035 with about 12,000 annual openings.
Median roofer wages in May 2025 were $55,440 annually or $26.65 per hour.
Angi’s 2026 guide reports hail-damage roof repair averages $4,250, with labor costs ranging from $35 to $200 per hour.
Roofers earned a median wage of $55,440 per year in 2025.
Storm-Restoration Roofing Operations and Technology
HailMate’s 2026 survey of 247 insurance restoration roofing companies reported an average insurance-restoration job closing at $14,600, with supplemented jobs recovering an additional $4,250 on average.
31% of jobs were supplemented, with categories including code upgrades (27%) and overhead/profit (22%).
64% of companies use roofing-specific CRM software, saving an average of 8.2 hours per rep per week in administrative time.
Most storm-restoration roofing companies use specialized CRM software to improve efficiency.
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