Hail is a type of precipitation consisting of solid ice pellets that fall from thunderstorm clouds. Hailstones can vary significantly in size, from tiny pea-sized pellets to larger formations comparable to golf balls, or even baseballs. The impact can range from merely noticeable to causing substantial physical harm, depending on their size and speed.
Understanding Hail and Its Impact
Hailstones form within strong thunderstorm clouds when powerful updrafts carry water droplets high into extremely cold areas of the atmosphere. These droplets then freeze and grow as they collide with other supercooled water droplets, accumulating layers of ice. Hail falls to the ground when it becomes too heavy for the thunderstorm’s updrafts to support its weight, or when the updrafts weaken.
Smaller hailstones, typically less than an inch in diameter, can fall at speeds between 9 and 25 miles per hour. However, larger hailstones, measuring two to four inches across, can reach speeds of 44 to 72 miles per hour, and very large hailstones can exceed 100 miles per hour. This increasing speed and mass mean that the impact energy of hailstones grows exponentially with their size, translating to greater potential for damage.
Potential Injuries from Hail
Being struck by hail can result in a range of injuries, depending primarily on the hailstone’s size, its fall speed, and the part of the body it hits. Smaller hailstones typically cause minor issues like temporary discomfort, red marks, or mild bruising on exposed skin. However, hailstones one inch in diameter or larger pose a more serious risk for injury.
Larger hailstones can lead to more significant injuries, including cuts, lacerations, and deep contusions. If struck on the head, individuals can sustain concussions, which are brain injuries. In severe instances, particularly with hailstones the size of golf balls or larger, fractures are possible, and historical records indicate that very large hailstones, exceeding the size of baseballs, have even caused fatalities due to head trauma. Research indicates that the skin, head, and extremities are the most frequently injured anatomical areas during hailstorms.
Safety and Response During a Hailstorm
If caught in a hailstorm, seek sturdy shelter indoors. Stay away from windows and glass doors, as these can shatter from hail impact. If no indoor shelter is available, a vehicle can offer temporary protection, pull over safely away from trees and power lines, angling the car so the strongest glass (windshield) faces the hail. If caught outdoors with no overhead cover, crouch down and use your arms, or any available sturdy object, to protect your head and neck, as head injuries are a primary concern.
For minor injuries such as bruising or small cuts, basic first aid, including cleaning the wound and applying pressure to stop bleeding, is appropriate once safely indoors. For more severe symptoms, such as persistent headache, dizziness, confusion, or signs of a concussion, medical attention should be sought promptly. Deep cuts, suspected fractures, or an inability to move limbs following a hail impact warrant immediate medical evaluation.