Imagine a piece of ice the size of a melon falling from the sky?
In this article, we take a look at the largest, strongest and deadliest hail on Earth
Hail is one of the biggest hazards in severe thunderstorms – while it’s usually small and relatively harmless, it can grow to the size of a tennis ball or even larger
It can cause serious harm, injury and in extreme cases even death
FORMATION OF HAIL – HOW DO HAIL BEADS FORM?
Hail or hailstones form when supercooled water droplets in a storm current begin to freeze on a condensation nucleus
When they come into contact with growing hail, they freeze onto it, making it bigger
The growing hailstone keeps the storm surge in the air until it becomes too big and too large to be contained by the upward wind
How hail is formed
Grain hail can make a single circle in the storm’s updraft, but often makes multiple circles within the updraft
The largest hailstones sometimes even form long ice horns or spikes!
The most severe hailstorms and largest hail are usually associated with supercell storms
Very high to extreme instability, strong wind shear, and dry midlevels are required for very large hail to form
But how big and heavy can hail get?
Below are some records for the largest, strongest and deadliest hail storms around the world
LARGEST POINT (GRAIN DIAMETER) EVER RECORDED
On February 8, 2018, huge chunks of ice fell from the sky in Villa Carlos Paz, a resort town west of Córdoba, Argentina
Researchers studying the 2018 storm found that one of the hailstones was between 74 inches (188 cm) and 93 inches (236 cm) in diameter
This diameter may approach or even exceed the official world record for largest hail – recorded in Vivian, South Dakota (see below)
The hailstones were so large that scientists proposed a new category to describe them – giant hail
According to official reports, this so-called “huge” hail that fell in Argentina could break the actual world record, according to researchers
According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the official world record for the largest hailstone belongs to an 8-inch (203 cm) hailstone that fell near Vivian, South Dakota, USA in 2010
Vivian, South Dakota – July 23, 2010
On July 23, 2010, hail of 80 inches (203 cm) was recorded in a severe hailstorm produced by a strong supercell Vivian in South Dakota
The hail was found by Mr Lee Scott and it was the size of a volleyball!
The hail had a circumference of 18625 inches (473 cm) and a weight of 19375 pounds (088 kg)
An impact pit about 10 inches (25 cm) in size was formed on the floor
Measuring the diameter and volume of hailstones!
Measuring the diameter and volume of hailstones!
The capital of Libya, Tripoli, was hit by a severe supercell storm on October 27, 2020
The storm produced extremely large, *giant* hail, with an estimated diameter of 17-18 cm (65-7 inches)
A pattern of giant hailstones in Tripoli, Libya
Local reports said the sudden storm caused serious property damage, with many trees downed and several vehicles hit by hail
Here is another photo of a person holding this giant hailstone that appears to be between 16 and 18 cm (6-7 inches) in diameter
Due to the robust nature of this stone, it is very difficult to estimate its mass or equivalent spherical diameter
Hail diameter estimation in Tripoli, Libya
There are other, unconfirmed reports of hail of a similar size
For example, Ponca City, Oklahoma was reported to be hit by up to 8 inches (20 cm) of hail on April 17, 1935
In Europe, the largest reported diameters of hailstones in recent years are 15 cm on 20 June 2016 in Sânandrei, western Romania, and 141 cm on 6 August 2013 in Undingen, southwestern Germany
On June 11, 2019, 14 cm hail was also recorded in Stari Trg ob Kolpa in Slovenia
Huge 15cm hail in Sânandrei, Romania
In 2020, we also report one giant hail in Slovenia, the town of Domžale was hit by 10+ cm hail: Devastating hail in central Slovenia, July 29 – the first 10+ cm *big* hail in Europe in the summer of 2020
LARGEST POINT (GRAIN VOLUME) EVER RECORDED
Aurora, Nebraska – June 22, 2003
Hail measuring 1875 inches (476 cm) was recorded on June 22, 2003 in a severe thunderstorm that hit Aurora, Nebraska, United States
The hail was 70 inches (178 cm) in diameter, but the weight was not officially recorded as the hail partially broke off when it hit the roof of the house
Notably, the hail that hit Hamilton County (including Aurora) produced impact pits on the ground up to 141 inches (36 cm) in diameter
NWS Hastings personnel measure the diameter and extent of hailstones in Aurora, Nebraska
Photo: NWS Hastings
STRONGEST POINT EVER RECORDED
Gopalganj District, Bangladesh – 14 April 1986
The heaviest hailstone officially confirmed occurred during a severe thunderstorm in the Gopalganj district of Bangladesh on April 14, 1986
In Europe, the record for large hail is 21 pounds (097 kg), which fell in Strasbourg, France on August 11, 1958 – unfortunately no dimensions were recorded
LARGEST ACCUMULATION OF HAIL ON THE GROUND EVER RECORDED
Seldon, Kansas – June 3, 1959
A persistent, near-stationary hail storm hit Seldon, Kansas on June 3, 1959
It produces a blanket of hail up to 18 inches (45 cm) thick over an area (54 square miles) of 140 square kilometers
Aerial view of a thick blanket of hail over Seldon, Kansas
Photo by Norton Telegram, Norton, Kansas
On April 30, 1888, the deadliest hailstorm in modern history struck Moradabad and Beheri districts in the state of Uttar Pradesh, India
According to the World Meteorological Organization, it caused 246 deaths, 1,600 cattle and sheep with hail the size of “goose eggs, oranges and cricket balls”
The hail was said to be the size of oranges and piled up to 2 meters high in some places
VIDEO EXAMPLE OF SEVERE STORMS WITH HAIL AROUND THE WORLD
Huge Hail the size of Baseballs – Cardston, Alberta – July 26, 2012
Amazing Video of the Oklahoma City Hailstorm – May 16, 2010
8 inch hail in Vivian, South Dakota – July 23, 2010
Mega Hail in SE Stephenville, Texas – April 26, 2015
Check out some more interesting articles about hail:
Extremely large 20+ cm (8 inch) hail hits Libya’s capital – October 27, 2020
Vivian, South Dakota Supercell Hunting Report by Storm Chaser Mike Hollingshead – July 23, 2010
Record Hail in Vivian, South Dakota – July 23, 2010
Aurora, Nebraska Hailstorm Report – June 22, 2003
Even everyday thunderstorms can cause damage through lighting, flooding, or wind-driven projectiles
But when the conditions are just right for raindrops to freeze in the clouds and accumulate additional layers of ice, we have something else to worry about: hail
Hailstones often fall in manageable sizes, but sometimes exceed our expectations
Let’s take a look at five of the world’s largest hailstones, which might make you want to check the sky before heading into your next storm
Undingen Hail
A severe supercell formed south of the Black Forest and descended near Undingen and Reutlingen, finally dropping an impressive amount of hailstones
Many of these stones challenged tennis balls and oranges in size, especially the new German record holder
It’s no secret that hailstones can cause a lot of damage to buildings, cars, and other property
The hail from this supercell, however, exceeded and caused millions of dollars worth of damage
Coffeyville Hailstone
Location: Coffeyville, Kansas
Source: coffeeyvillecom
This gigantic hailstone was estimated to be falling from the sky in Kansas at 105 mph and is considered the fastest falling hailstone on record
Hail sighting is something of a hobby on the Great Plains, with enthusiasts waiting for the storm to end to immediately start looking for other impressive hailstones that might have a chance to break current records
A replica of this hailstone was constructed to provide thorough documentation of its size
The strongest hail in Bangladesh
Diameter: Dimensions not recorded
Habitat: April 14, 1986
Source: earthquakepredictcom
While two-pound hail certainly sounds fascinating, it’s important to remember how dangerous falling icicles can be
The 1986 hailstorm that hit Gopalganj in Bangladesh left a trail of tragedy, claiming 92 lives and causing extensive property damage
These deadly missiles are estimated to have fallen at speeds of over 99 mph and documented as the heaviest to land in Bangladesh
The dimensions of this massive hailstone have not been recorded, so we do not know its diameter or extent to compare with those of other record holders
Aurora Hailstone
Location: Aurora, Nebraska
Habitat: June 22, 2003
Source: weathergov
The supercell storms that hit Deshler, Nebraska in 2003 caused extensive damage to the area’s buildings and landscape, from flooding to tornadoes
As if these threats were not enough, a huge hailstone also started falling from the sky
Among the cold projectiles, it turned out to be a huge specimen that landed in Aurora, surpassing the Coffeyville hailstone as the largest known specimen at the time
Aric and Tamara Brophy discovered this hailstone after it hit the gutter of their home
This prize hailstone was not measured and documented until four days later
Vivian Hailstone
Diameter: 8 inches
Diameter: 8 inches
Diameter: 8 inches
Diameter: 8 inches
Location: Vivian, South Dakota
Habitat: July 23, 2010
The hail in Vivian, South Dakota is the largest hail in the world
The storm that produced this record-breaking event was reported to have damaged 55 homes
They immediately awarded the title of the largest officially recorded hail, pushing the former record holder from Aurora into second place
Mr Lee Scott reported that this huge hailstone was close to 10-11 inches when he found it
When he brought it to the freezer, it melted a bit and shrunk