REAL COUNTY, TEXAS — A powerful and long-tracked supercell thunderstorm swept across the Texas Hill Country Tuesday evening, producing massive 4.5-inch “grapefruit-size” hail and triggering multiple tornado warnings as it advanced east toward populated counties near Austin.
Weather radar around 7:19 p.m. showed the intense storm moving from the western Hill Country toward Gillespie, Blanco, and Hays counties, placing communities across central Texas on alert for dangerous severe weather conditions.
Giant Grapefruit-Size Hail Confirmed in Real County
The storm first gained attention after reports confirmed hail measuring about 4.5 inches in diameter in Real County. Hail of this size is capable of causing extensive damage to vehicles, roofs, and windows while posing a serious risk to anyone caught outdoors.
Radar imagery showed a strong supercell structure west of Kerrville and Fredericksburg, where intense reflectivity and lightning activity indicated powerful updrafts capable of sustaining extremely large hailstones. Meteorologists noted that storms producing hail this large are typically associated with very strong rotating updrafts, a signature feature of severe supercells.
Storm Moving East Toward Gillespie, Blanco, and Hays Counties
As the evening progressed, the storm continued tracking eastward across the Hill Country. Communities including Fredericksburg, Blanco, and areas approaching Hays County were advised to monitor the storm closely as it approached…