VIDEO ARCHIVE: Remembering the April 12, 2016 massive hailstorm It’s been 7 years since baseball-sized hail tore through San Antonio
EDITORS NOTE: Check out Meteorologist Justin Horne’s 2016 report on the historic hailstorm in the video above.
It’s a day many of us remember: April 12, 2016.
Storms formed near Del Rio and moved west, arriving in San Antonio during the late evening hours.
The most powerful storm moved just north of downtown San Antonio, prompting numerous reports of 2 to 3 inches of hail. However, hail up to 4.5 inches came down in pockets around the city.
Rarely do storms produce large hail for this long over such a populated area.
April 12, 2016 Hail Swath (Copyright 2021 by KSAT - All rights reserved.) The storm resulted in losses of $1.36 billion , making it the second-costliest hail storm in Texas history. To add insult to injury, San Antonio was hit by another storm with large hail just two weeks later.
Watch below — KSAT Explains: Why hail happens in San Antonio
Whatever the Weather Subscribe to the free Whatever the Weather newsletter for a weekly rundown from the KSAT Weather Authority.
Copyright 2023 by KSAT - All rights reserved.
About the Authors Justin Horne headshot
Justin Horne is a meteorologist and reporter for KSAT 12 News. When severe weather rolls through, Justin will hop in the KSAT 12 Storm Chaser to safely bring you the latest weather conditions from across South Texas. On top of delivering an accurate forecast, Justin often reports on one of his favorite topics: Texas history.
Sarah Spivey headshot
Sarah Spivey is a San Antonio native who grew up watching KSAT. She has been a proud member of the KSAT Weather Authority Team since 2017.
Sarah is a Clark High School and Texas A&M University graduate. She previously worked at KTEN News.
When Sarah is not busy forecasting, she enjoys hanging out with her husband and cat, and playing music.
Jefferson Middle School student arrested, charged with assault of another student, NISD police say ▶ 0:53
Jefferson Middle School student arrested, charged with assault of another student, NISD police say
Federal government sends letters to student loan borrowers about wage garnishments ▶ 1:21
Federal government sends letters to student loan borrowers about wage garnishments
Bexar County judge’s ‘no-contact’ order sparks claims of retaliation and erratic courtroom behavior ▶ 1:41
Bexar County judge’s ‘no-contact’ order sparks claims of retaliation and erratic courtroom behavior
Immigrant rams into ICE vehicles in San Antonio, injuring officer, agency says ▶ 2:25
Immigrant rams into ICE vehicles in San Antonio, injuring officer, agency says
At-home flu tests: What you need to know before taking one ▶ 1:59
At-home flu tests: What you need to know before taking one
Former teacher's aide describes encounter with Robb Elementary School gunman ▶ 1:29
Former teacher's aide describes encounter with Robb Elementary School gunman
Here's what's been found in the San Antonio river so far ▶ 0:48
Here's what's been found in the San Antonio river so far
Texas law schools no longer required to be accredited by American Bar Association ▶ 0:53
Texas law schools no longer required to be accredited by American Bar Association
There are not enough mental health workers in Texas. What is the state doing about it? ▶ 0:48
There are not enough mental health workers in Texas. What is the state doing about it?
Bexar County judge denies woman’s appeal to lift ‘dangerous dog’ ruling on 5 puppies ▶ 1:07
Bexar County judge denies woman’s appeal to lift ‘dangerous dog’ ruling on 5 puppies
Former Robb teacher testifies about the moments her and her students experienced during shooting ▶ 2:46
Former Robb teacher testifies about the moments her and her students experienced during shooting
Woman escorted out of courtroom following emotional response during Adrian Gonzales trial ▶ 0:58
Woman escorted out of courtroom following emotional response during Adrian Gonzales trial
Man ‘stunned’ by fire damage to neighbors’ North Side home ▶ 0:50
Man ‘stunned’ by fire damage to neighbors’ North Side home
$10 million in relief activated for small businesses affected by Hill Country flooding ▶ 1:13
$10 million in relief activated for small businesses affected by Hill Country flooding
Financial expert shares how to set a ‘financial reset’ budget plan for year ahead ▶ 1:16
Financial expert shares how to set a ‘financial reset’ budget plan for year ahead
Olympic gymnast Gabby Douglas, singer Coco Jones to be featured guests at MLK March and Celebration ▶ 0:36
Olympic gymnast Gabby Douglas, singer Coco Jones to be featured guests at MLK March and Celebration
Former Robb teacher remembers hearing children's voices calling for officers' help ▶ 0:48
Former Robb teacher remembers hearing children's voices calling for officers' help
Criminals cloning license plates ▶ 1:02
Criminals cloning license plates
DRONE VIDEO- Tour the drained San Antonio River ▶ 1:18
DRONE VIDEO- Tour the drained San Antonio River
Former Robb Elementary teacher who survived shooting testifies in ex-Uvalde CISD officer’s trial ▶ 1:16
Former Robb Elementary teacher who survived shooting testifies in ex-Uvalde CISD officer’s trial
Look at the River Walk as it's being drained ▶ 0:57
Look at the River Walk as it's being drained
More construction begins downtown as city, Centro San Antonio work to ease impact ▶ 1:21
More construction begins downtown as city, Centro San Antonio work to ease impact
People in Northeast Side neighborhood fearful about repeated nighttime gunfire ▶ 0:59
People in Northeast Side neighborhood fearful about repeated nighttime gunfire
Video shows former Bexar County day care employee accused of injuring child ▶ 0:57
Video shows former Bexar County day care employee accused of injuring child
Culinary students cook up innovative food at food entrepreneurship boot camp ▶ 0:45
Culinary students cook up innovative food at food entrepreneurship boot camp
Previous photo Next photo