In this article, we take a look at the largest, heaviest and deadliest hail records on Earth.
Hail is one of the biggest hazards in severe thunderstorms – while usually small and relatively harmless, it can grow to the size of a tennis ball or even larger.
HAIL FORMATION – HOW DO HAIL FORM?
Hail or hailstone forms when supercooled water droplets in an updraft of a thunderstorm begin to freeze on a condensation core.
When they come into contact with the growing hailstone, they freeze on it, causing it to grow larger.
The growing hailstone is held aloft by the storm’s updraft until it becomes too large and heavy for the updrafts to keep it aloft.
How hail forms.
The hailstone may make a single round in the storm’s updraft, but often it will make multiple rounds in the updraft.
The largest hailstones sometimes even form long icy horns or spikes!
The heaviest hailstorms and largest hail are usually associated with supercell thunderstorms.
It takes very high to extreme instability, strong wind shear, and dry mid-levels to form very large hail.
But how big and heavy can hailstones get?
Below are some of the records for the largest, most severe and deadliest hail storms around the world.
LARGEST HAIL (HAILSTONE DIAMETER) EVER RECORDED
On February 8, 2018, giant chunks of ice fell from the sky in Villa Carlos Paz, a beach town west of Córdoba, Argentina.
Researchers examining the 2018 storm found that one of the hailstones was between 7.4 inches (18.8 cm) and 9.3 inches (23.6 cm) in diameter.
This diameter may approach or 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 the official reports, this so-called “giant” hailstone 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 largest hailstone belongs to an 8-inch (20.3 cm) hailstone that fell near Vivian, South Dakota, United States in 2010.
Vivian, South Dakota – July 23, 2010
On July 23, 2010, an 8.0-inch (20.3 cm) hailstone was recorded in the severe hailstorm produced by the Vivian, South Dakota heavy supercell.
The hailstone was found by Mr. Lee Scott and was the size of a volleyball!
The hailstone had a circumference of 18.625 inches (47.3 cm) and a weight of 1.9375 pounds (0.88 kg).
It produced an impact pit about 10 inches across the ground.
Measure the diameter and circumference of the hailstone!
Measure the diameter and circumference of the hailstone!
Tripoli, the capital of Libya, was hit by a severe supercell storm on October 27, 2020.
The storm produced exceptionally large, *gigantic* hail, estimated to be 17-18 cm (6.5-7 in) in diameter.
Example of giant hailstones in Tripoli, Libya.
Local reports said the sudden storm caused severe property damage as many trees were toppled and hailstones hit several vehicles.
Here’s another photo of a person holding these giant hailstones that easily appear to be between 16 and 18 cm (6-7 inches) in diameter.
Hailstone hailstone diameter estimate in Tripoli, Libya.
There are other unconfirmed reports of similar sized hail.
For example, Ponca City, Oklahoma was reported to have been hit by hailstones as large as 8 inches (20 cm) on April 17, 1935.
In Europe, the largest reported hailstone diameters in recent years are 15 cm on June 20, 2016 in Sânandrei, western Romania, and 14.1 cm on August 6, 2013 in Undingen in southwest Germany.
On June 11, 2019, 14 cm hailstones were also reported in Stari Trg ob Kolpi, Slovenia.
Giant hail of 15 cm in Sânandrei, Romania.
In 2020, one giant hail event was also reported in Slovenia, the city of Domzale was hit by hailstones over 10 cm: destructive hail storm in central Slovenia, 29 July – the first *massive* 10+ cm hail event in Europe of summer 2020 .
LARGEST HAIL (HAILSTONE GIRTH) EVER RECORDED
Aurora, Nebraska – June 22, 2003
A hailstone with a circumference of 47.6 cm (18.75 in) was recorded on June 22, 2003 during a severe thunderstorm that struck Aurora, Nebraska, United States.
The hailstone measured 7.0 inches (17.8 cm) in diameter, but no official weight was recorded because the hailstone partially broke off when it hit the roof of a house.
Remarkably, the hail that hit Hamilton County (including Aurora) created impact pits on the ground up to 14.1 inches (36 cm) in diameter.
NWS Hastings employees measure the diameter and circumference of the Aurora, Nebraska hailstone.
Photo: NWS Hastings.
HEAVEST HAILSTONE EVER RECORDED
The heaviest hailstone verified by official authorities fell on April 14, 1986 during a heavy hailstorm in Gopalganj district of Bangladesh.
In Europe, the record is held by a large 2.1-pound (0.97 kg) hailstone that fell in Strasbourg, France on August 11, 1958—unfortunately, no dimensions were recorded.
LARGEST HAIL STORAGE ON THE GROUND EVER RECORDED
Seldon, Kansas – June 3, 1959
A sustained, near-stationary hailstorm hit Seldon, Kansas on June 3, 1959.
It produced a blanket of hail up to 18 inches (45 cm) thick over an area of 140 square kilometers (54 square miles).
Aerial view of the thick blanket of hail over Seldon, Kansas.
Photo by Norton Telegram, Norton, Kansas.
DEADLY HAIL STORM
On April 30, 1888, the deadliest hail storm in modern history struck Moradabad and Beheri districts, Uttar Pradesh state, India.
It caused 246 fatalities, 1,600 cattle and sheep with hailstones the size of “goose eggs, oranges and cricket balls,” according to the World Meteorological Organization.
VIDEO EXAMPLE OF SEVERE HAIL WEATHER ACROSS THE WORLD
Massive hail the size of baseballs – Cardston, Alberta – July 26, 2012
Incredible video of Oklahoma City Hail Storm – May 16, 2010
8-inch hailstones in Vivian, South Dakota – July 23, 2010
Mega Hail in SE Stephenville, Texas – April 26, 2015
Check out some more interesting articles about the hail records:
Exceptionally large hailstones over 20 cm (8 inches) hit Libya’s capital – Oct 27, 2020
Vivian, South Dakota supercell chase report by storm chaser Mike Hollingshead – Jul 23, 2010
Record breaking hail event in Vivian, South Dakota – July 23, 2010
Report on the hail storm Aurora, Nebraska – June 22, 2003