As severe storms sweep across the central United States, a dedicated team of scientists is braving the elements to investigate a weather phenomenon that often goes unnoticed: hail. While hail rarely causes fatalities, it inflicts significant damage, costing the U.S. about $10 billion annually in damages to roofs, cars, and crops.
This research effort, part of a federally funded project called ICECHIP, involves teams from several universities studying how hail forms and behaves. The scientists are using specialized vehicles equipped with protective mesh to shield their windshields as they drive directly into storm systems, focusing on an area known as the “shaft,” where hail is most intense. This unique approach resembles tornado chasing but is specifically aimed at understanding hail.
Victor Gensini, a meteorology professor at Northern Illinois University and one of the lead researchers, described the experience of driving into a hailstorm as akin to someone hammering the vehicle from outside. The team, which includes journalists from the Associated Press, recently set out on a multi-day journey across the Great Plains, beginning in northern Texas. They are equipped with radar trucks, weather balloon launchers, drones, and various other tools to collect data and samples.
During their expeditions through Kansas, Oklahoma, and Texas, the researchers have encountered hailstones larger than five inches in diameter, which is bigger than a softball. Their vehicles are already showing signs of battle, with dings and dents from the hail. Forensic engineer Tim Marshall, who is testing roofing materials, noted that the damage they’ve experienced is a reminder of the potential destruction hail can cause.
The research is not merely an academic pursuit; it addresses a significant issue that affects agricultural productivity in the Midwest. The insurance industry is even contributing to the funding of this project due to the high costs associated with hail damage. Gensini emphasized the importance of understanding hail, stating, “These are the stones that do the most damage to lives and property.”
A recent study by Gensini suggests that as climate change progresses, the likelihood of smaller hailstones will decrease, while larger ones will become more common. This is due to stronger storm updrafts that allow hailstones to grow larger before falling to the ground. The research aims to provide a comprehensive picture of storm behavior by combining direct observation with advanced technology.
Meteorologist Jeff Masters, who is not part of the project, highlighted the growing concern over hail-related damages, noting that the increasing number of people and property in harm’s way has made hail one of the leading causes of financial loss in weather-related disasters. In Colorado, for instance, hail is considered the most costly natural disaster.
The ICECHIP project is a significant step toward understanding hail better, a weather phenomenon that has long been overshadowed by other extreme weather events. As researchers continue their work, they hope to gather crucial data that can help mitigate the impacts of hail on communities and the economy.