Del Rio Texas Braces for a Dangerous Hailstorm Today as a Supercell Targets the Region This Afternoon
DEL RIO, TEXAS — A potentially dangerous hailstorm is taking shape over Del Rio, Texas today, Thursday April 16, 2026. Forecast guidance is showing a supercell developing over the Sierra Madre to the west and tracking directly toward Del Rio this afternoon, in an atmosphere loaded with the ingredients needed for significant hail production. Forecasters are raising the possibility that today could be the day of Del Rio’s semiannual hailstorm.
What the Atmosphere Looks Like Over Del Rio
The sounding data valid April 16, 2026 at 21Z and 22Z near Del Rio at coordinates 29.52N, 100.97W and 29.47N, 100.83W shows a seriously loaded severe weather environment.
| Parameter | Value | Significance |
|---|---|---|
| Surface-based CAPE | 1130 to 982 HGZ Cape | Strong instability for storm development |
| Storm Relative Helicity | 128 and 86 m2/s2 | Favorable for rotating updrafts |
| PWAT | Near 1.3 inches | Sufficient moisture for heavy hail production |
| Wet Bulb Zero | 3198m and 3360m | Hail survival zone well established |
| Mid-level lapse rates | Steep | Explosive storm growth supported |
The steep mid-level lapse rates combined with strong instability and rotating updraft potential create exactly the environment needed for a supercell to produce significant hail over Del Rio this afternoon.
The Radar Signal Is Already There
Both forecast runs show convection initiating over the Sierra Madre to the west and a defined supercell rotating near Del Rio by late afternoon. The forecast radar imagery shows intense purple and magenta returns centered directly on Del Rio indicating the strongest updraft helicity values on the map — the signature of a rotating, organized supercell capable of large hail production.
The storm track brings this supercell directly through the Del Rio area extending toward Brackettville, Rocksprings, and the surrounding region.
What Del Rio Residents Need to Do Now
Hailstorms of the type Del Rio sees semiannually can produce hail large enough to shatter vehicle glass and damage rooftops with no warning time once a storm arrives.
- Get every vehicle under covered parking before this afternoon
- Stay indoors when the storm approaches
- Have weather alerts active throughout the afternoon
Stay with CabarrusWeekly.com for live storm updates and hail reports across Del Rio and surrounding Texas communities this afternoon.
