‘It Was Nuts’: Extreme Tests Reveal Why Hail is a Multibillion-Dollar Problem

The sheer destructive power of hail is no longer a minor inconvenience; it’s a multibillion-dollar problem. Recent extreme testing and scientific research are shedding light on how hailstones, some as large as baseballs, cause billions of dollars in damage annually, often with devastating force.

Scientists have described the conditions leading to these colossal hailstones as “nuts.” They’ve discovered that intense updrafts within thunderstorms, combined with specific atmospheric conditions, can create and sustain hailstones for extended periods. This allows them to grow to sizes capable of shattering vehicle windows, ripping through roofing materials, and decimating crops. The economic toll is staggering, impacting insurance payouts and agricultural sectors, prompting urgent calls for better prediction and mitigation strategies.

This article was generated by Gemini AI as part of the automated news generation system.