What to Know as Forecasts Warn of Life-Threatening Hail
We are expecting severe weather to impact Indiana and Kentucky this afternoon and evening, and with it, forecasts are calling for extremely large hail. The words local weather authorities have been using are "baseball-sized or larger."
How Does Hail Form During a Thunderstorm?
Hail is formed inside thunderstorm updrafts and is a form of frozen precipitation. Raindrops are carried on the updrafts into extremely cold portions of the atmosphere where they freeze. Then, as the hailstone collides with more rain that freezes to it, it gets larger.
READ MORE: Tornado and Storm Safety for You and Your Family
When the updraft weakens or the hailstones become too heavy to be supported by the updraft, they fall from the sky. If winds are strong enough, hail can be seen falling from the sky at an angle or even sideways.
Why Wind-Driven Hail Is Even More Dangerous
While it can vary in size, hail can be dangerous - and even deadly. Wind-driven hail is especially worrisome. It can damage siding and roofs, break windows on homes and cars, and even cause injury or death to animals and humans.
How Big Can Hail Get? NOAA’s Comparison Chart Explains
Hail size can vary greatly, and can range from "marble" sized to "grapefruit" sized. NOAA has a list of items most people are familiar with that they use to describe just how big the hailstones are from a storm.
- Marble or Mothball - 0.50 inches
- Penny = 0.75 inches
- Nickel = 0.88 inches
- Quarter = 1.00 inch
- Half Dollar = 1.25 inches
- Walnut or Ping Pong Ball = 1.50 inches
- Golf Ball = 1.75 inches
- Egg = 2.00 inches
- Tennis Ball = 2.50 inches
- Baseball = 2.75 inches
- Tea Cup = 3.00 inches
- Softball = 4.00 inches
- Grapefruit = 4.50 inches
READ MORE: What to Do If You're in Your Car During a Tornado
The Largest Hailstone Ever Recorded in the United States
The largest hailstone on record in the United States measured 18.62 inches around and weighed almost two pounds. It fell in Vivian, South Dakota, in 2010.
Keep reading to learn how to prepare yourself and your home for severe weather.
[SOURCE: NOAA]
Essential Items To Build Your Emergency Preparedness Kit
Gallery Credit: Kat Mykals