10 Fun Facts About the Most Extreme Weather Ever Recorded

8. The Hail Hazard: Largest Hailstones Ever Recorded

Hailstones can cause significant damage to crops, vehicles, and buildings, making them a formidable weather hazard. The largest hailstone ever recorded fell in Vivian, South Dakota, measuring 8 inches (20 centimeters) in diameter and weighing nearly 2 pounds (0.9 kilograms). This section examines the conditions that lead to the formation of such massive hailstones, including atmospheric instability, updraft strength, and moisture availability. Severe thunderstorms with strong updrafts can keep hailstones suspended in the air, allowing them to grow larger before falling to the ground. Understanding these dynamics is essential for improving hail prediction models and developing effective mitigation strategies. As climate change influences storm intensity, studying record-breaking hail events provides insights into potential impacts on agriculture and insurance industries.