In recent years, hailstorms have gained prominence in the United States, especially in areas such as Texas, Kansas, and other regions in the center and south of the countryThe heavy rainfall, combined with the appearance of large hail, has caused not only significant material damage but also an increasing number of rescues, flight cancellations, and life-threatening situations for the population. Understanding the hail phenomenon, how it is detected, and its real impact in different North American states., is essential for evaluating prevention and reaction strategies to severe weather events.
This article offers a detailed analysis of recent hail events, describing the most common types of storms, current methods for detecting hail—from satellite technology to electrical activity analysis—and the direct effects of this phenomenon on the lives of Americans. Through specific cases and recent data, the report addresses the extent of the damage, the most affected areas, and the role of meteorological agencies in issuing alerts and warnings to the public.
Types of storms and hail formation
Hail is the result of a set of complex atmospheric processes that occur within different types of storms. At the heart of these phenomena are the so-called convective storms, which can be presented in several ways:
- Ordinary thunderstormsThey are characterized by poor organization and tend to occur in a single incident, especially on warmer days. Although they are usually short-lived and perceived as less intense, they can produce hail in limited areas.
- Multicellular stormsThese storms group several individual cells, each evolving somewhat independently. Often, new formations are observed while others dissipate, allowing persistent activity over a wide area. The hail generated by these storms can vary greatly in size and intensity.
- Squall lines: They consist of linear groupings of storms that form along fronts or troughs. They move quickly and can cover great distances, generating strong winds and widespread hail. A particular phenomenon within this category is the "derecho," which is particularly destructive and associated with significant impacts.
- SupercellsThey are isolated, highly organized, and long-lived thunderstorms fueled by intense updrafts. Their distinctive characteristic is internal rotation, known as a mesocyclone. Although more commonly associated with tornadoes, supercells are also responsible for dumping the largest hail observed in the United States.
In the most cases of severe hail In Texas, Kansas, and Missouri, the storms responsible have been low-pressure lines or supercells, where stones as large as golf balls, baseballs, or even softballs have been reported. This extraordinary size causes damage to roofs, windows, and vehicles, and even risks serious or fatal injuries to people.
Recent hail incidents in the United States: Texas, Kansas, and other regions
During the spring and early summer months, The United States often faces a sequence of severe storms. primarily affecting the southern states, the Mississippi Valley, and the central plains. The most recent records speak of entire weeks of uninterrupted activity, in which large hail has been the main feature, along with strong winds and torrential rains.
A notable episode occurred in the spring of 2025, when a series of storm systems affected large areas of Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas and MissouriAccording to the National Weather Service (NWS) and NOAA, up to 69 million people were exposed to the risk of hail, extreme winds, tornadoes, and flooding. Among the most notable incidents:
- Texas: Hailstorms with stones up to 12,7 centimeters in diameter, especially in towns like Guthrie. There, the impact was so great that severe damage was reported to homes, cars, and power lines. Wind gusts also exceeded 170 km/h in areas near Seymour, aggravating the danger of storms.
- Kansas and MissouriOvernight storms dumped hail the size of an apple or a softball. Alerts from the National Weather Service urged residents to take immediate shelter, and traffic on major highways—such as Interstate 70—was disrupted by the accumulation of hail.
- Pennsylvania and OklahomaAlthough not the primary focus of the Texas-Kansas axis, deaths linked to fallen trees and flooding accidents were also reported during this period, highlighting that the impact of hail goes hand in hand with other risks associated with severe storms.
These data show that the combination of hail, strong winds and rain Not only does it cause logistical disruptions such as flight cancellations—in cities like Dallas-Fort Worth, more than 900 cancellations were recorded in a single day—but it also jeopardizes the safety of thousands of homes and businesses, leaving hundreds of thousands of people without power.
How hail is detected and analyzed: innovations and challenges
La accurate detection of hail events It is a challenge for both meteorologists and insurers responsible for assessing damage claims. Traditionally, direct observation and the collection of physical evidence have been the primary methods; however, Modern technology has brought new tools to improve the reliability of diagnoses. To better understand this process, you can check out how hail forms in this article about his training.
A paradigmatic case is the use of lightning data to infer the presence of hail. Hailstorms are often accompanied by high electrical activity, especially with an abrupt increase in the frequency of discharges—a phenomenon known as lightning jump. Analysis of the rate of discharges detected by sensor networks, such as the ENTLN (Earth Networks Total Lightning Detection Network), allows:
- Identify areas of intense electrical activity within a specific radius (for example, five kilometers from the center of a field)
- Correlate these electrical peaks with the record of hailstorms reported by those affected
- Verify the date and location more precisely from a possible hailstorm, resolving disputes or doubts in agricultural insurance claims
Thanks to this method, it was possible to validate the occurrence of hail in eight of the nine fields analyzed during several recent summers. The effectiveness of the ENTLN network, with detection rates exceeding 95% for cloud-to-ground lightning and over 60% for intra-cloud lightning, reinforces the usefulness of this approach. When sufficient activity is not recorded, the probability of a hailstorm tends to be very low.
However, difficulties persistThe presence of dense clouds can make direct satellite observation of the ground difficult, and the information provided by local cameras or witnesses is not always immediate or sufficient. Furthermore, the official date of the event reported by those affected does not always coincide exactly with the peak of electrical activity, which adds complexity to the verification process.
Hail damage and authorities' response
The consequences of hail are very varied and affect both public infrastructures as private. When large stones occur, the damage can be devastating:
- Houses and buildingsRoofs, windows, and terraces are especially vulnerable to large stones. Insurers often receive waves of claims after each hailstorm, and in many cases, detailed inspections are required to determine the level of damage. You can learn more about these damages in the analysis of a real case in El Ejido.
- VehiclesThey are common targets, with dented or broken windshields, bodies, and windows. In recent incidents, images of cars rendered completely useless in short periods of time have been reported.
- Electrical installationsBoth power lines and substations have experienced massive outages due to the direct impact of hail accompanied by extreme winds, leaving tens of thousands of families and businesses in the dark, especially in states like Texas and Pennsylvania.
- AgricultureWheat, barley, and sunflower fields have seen entire hectares destroyed in a matter of minutes, complicating the assessment of damages and the response of insurers to claims for damages.
In addition to material damage, the safety of people it is a priority. Large hail can cause severe injuries.Authorities recommend sheltering indoors and staying away from windows when severe thunderstorm warnings are issued. In recent events in Kansas and Missouri, the National Weather Service even rated the risk as potentially fatal if struck directly by a large rock.
Traffic, especially on major interstate highways, has been affected by the accumulation of hail, causing traffic jams and multiple accidents. Rescue and evacuation operations are common in Oklahoma and Texas, where complete closures of highway sections have also been reported due to flash flooding and hail.
Weather alerts, risks and aggravating factors
Everytime that a hail event is approachingU.S. meteorological agencies are issuing early warnings to warn citizens of potential hazards. Measures taken include:
- Level 2 and 3 alerts (on a scale of 5): In the recent events of April and May, more than 31 million people were under this type of warning in key areas such as central Kansas, western Oklahoma and north-central Texas.
- Specific flood alertsThe National Weather Service and NOAA routinely issue flood warnings as high as 3 out of 4, especially in the Red and Mississippi River valleys, exacerbating the risks associated with hail.
- Protection recommendationsThe importance of not driving during storms, securing vehicles, and avoiding any attempt to cross flooded areas is emphasized. Even small accumulations of moving water can be dangerous, the NWS warns.
The interaction between hail, strong winds and heavy rain It's generating high-risk situations. A "stagnant front," along with atmospheric disturbances from the Rocky Mountains, has been the cause of the most persistent storm systems, shifting threats from Texas and Oklahoma to the Ohio Valley and the Great Lakes as the days progress.
Hail and climate change: recent trends
Experts and agencies such as NOAA and AccuWeather have noted that the increase in the frequency and intensity of severe storms It appears to be related to global climate change. Recent studies show a clear increase in extreme rainfall and hail events of extraordinary magnitude, especially in recent years.
In addition, the duration and extent of storm episodes has increased, as demonstrated by the recent spate of nine consecutive days of severe storms in the spring of 2025. This phenomenon, considered unusual in previous decades, highlights the need to update protection protocols and urban and rural infrastructure to address an evolving threat.
The combination of meteorological, technological, and human factors makes hail a growing challenge, both for the safety of the population and for the economic resilience of affected regions. Coordination between emergency agencies, scientists, and insurers, along with the adoption of modern storm detection technologies, will be crucial to mitigating the impact of hail in the future.
