MIDLAND ODESSA GRAPEFRUIT SIZE HAIL HOW TO

Note: Hail stone fall rate is not related to the size of the stone but to the weight-to-drag ratio of it. Largest (recoerd breaking events, such as 5'+ in Wisconsin in June 2007 or 6'++ in Nebraska in June 2003) can approach 120 MPH (that's about the upper limit, similar to a human in free-fall (skydiving), as hail is composed of water, (or mostly water) like a person). Grapefruit sized (4') or larger would have a velocity of about 105 MPH. I'd do a quick search of AMS publications to help you out, but I need to head out.Īs with supercell updrafts, speeds of 150 to 175 MPH are not un-common.Ī large hailstone (baseball sized / 2.5') has a terminal velocity of about 80-85 MPH. I've remember hearing ~90 mph updraft to product a baseball-sized hailstone (though, again, there are many complicating factors, not the least of which is the effect of melting that occurs as a stone falls from the freezing level to the ground), but I can't give you any more specifics. I know this isn't exactly what you were asking, but I figured I'd mention it anyway. Add in hail trajectory differences, and you get a complicate picture. no meso and typically in weaker shear) with the same 2000 j/kg CAPE.

Regardless, the role of the vertical perturbation pressure gradients helps explain why a supercell (with a meso, by definition) in an environment of 2000 j/kg CAPE (for example) can produce much larger hail than a multi-cell cluster (i.e. Typically, while SQRT(2*CAPE) can be an estimate of velocity, it's often seen that actual updraft velocity is 1/2*(SQRT(2*CAPE)) owing to invalid assumptions used in parcel theory (i.e. Vertical perturbation pressure gradients (a function of the vertical wind and shear profiles) can have just as great a contribution to the updraft velocity as CAPE does. Taking necessary precautions could save thousands of dollars in cost and possibly even a life.In addition to what Paul wrote, it's important to remember that CAPE / thermal instability is only ONE contributor to updraft intensity. They will give you the information you need as to what steps to take next. When it’s over and you discover you have hailstorm damage, contact your local independent insurance agent right away. If possible, park your car in the garage or other covered area.Close curtains or blinds to prevent fragments of debris from blowing inside.Stay away from skylights and glass doors to avoid broken glass.A severe hail stone can be as big as a grapefruit and fall at 50 to 100 miles per hour, so stay or get indoors.

MIDLAND ODESSA GRAPEFRUIT SIZE HAIL HOW TO

If you’re caught out in a hailstorm, know how to protect yourself and your vehicle.

If you have an older roof (over 10 years) consider replacing it before hail season begins.

Repair or replace worn, curled or missing shingles.

Inspect your roof prior to hail season and get any repairs completed.

Talk to your local independent agent to find out if you need a higher deductible for wind and hail damage than you do for other claims.

Be clear on your deductibles that you have chosen and adjust if needed.

Fully understand what your insurance covers and how much you need.

Here are some easy to follow guidelines to ensure that your property is protected from damaging hailstorms and doesn’t become a statistic in the $1 billion in damages caused each year. Making sure your home, vehicles, property, businesses, and surrounding areas are protected can save thousands of dollars in insurance costs and repairs. What many people living in west Texas may not realize is that preparation for this level of severity should be a priority.

These locations experience an average of one day per year when hail of various sizes reaches the ground, Texas and Oklahoma getting the most severe hail in the western parts of those states. There is a triangular area from west Texas to northwest Missouri to the western Dakotas that averaged at least 0.5 days of severe hail between 20.

Weather experts define severe hail as being at least 0.75 inches in diameter or roughly the size of a one cent coin. Storms move quickly but it is amazing the amount of damage that hail can leave behind. Last August, softball sized hail bombarded Texas when severe weather storms traveled across the South.

Midland odessa grapefruit size hail