Understanding Hail Size

news image
Top Stories
8 May 2020 7:50 AM
https://youtu.be/i-_fIlQrrK8 Pea size, baseball size, even grapefruit size? There are many everyday items that we can use to determine the best estimate of a hail stone. Courtesy: NOAA/National Weather Service Pea size hail is ¼" in diameter and hail at ¾" is the width of a penny. When hail is 1" in diameter, that’s the same size as a quarter and also when hail size is considered "severe" (or large enough to potentially cause damage). Some of the most destructive hail that falls measures at least 2" in diameter! Tennis ball size is 2 ½", baseball size measures 2.75", tea cup size is 3", and softball size measures 4" in diameter. Did you know hail can be even larger than that? https://twitter.com/i/status/1258580136699420674 The biggest hailstone ever recorded was near Vivian, South Dakota in 2010, coming in at 8” in diameter! Just remember -- before you go outside to measure the size of hail that fell in your backyard, wait until the storm has moved far enough away so you can safely make your observation. For WeatherNation, I’m Meteorologist Meredith Garofalo
All Weather News
More
Moke Weakens to a Tropical Depression

Moke Weakens to a Tropical Depression

TROPICAL DEPRESSION MOKEJust a little over a

24 Aug 2026 10:00 AM
Rounds of Storms for the Southeast

Rounds of Storms for the Southeast

In addition to the hot temperatures across th

24 Aug 2026 9:55 AM
Heat and Storms for the Southwest the Next Few Days

Heat and Storms for the Southwest the Next Few Days

Record-high temperatures broke today in the S

24 Aug 2026 9:50 AM
Atlantic Tropics : Watching Several Areas, Strong Tropical Wave Late Week

Atlantic Tropics : Watching Several Areas, Strong Tropical Wave Late Week

El Niño has been smothering tropical waves in

24 Aug 2026 9:45 AM
Multiple Days of Severe Weather For The  Plains

Multiple Days of Severe Weather For The Plains

WHAT TO EXPECTA strong ridge of high pressure

24 Aug 2026 1:10 AM
Stifling Heat Holds Steady for Southern U.S.

Stifling Heat Holds Steady for Southern U.S.

Record heat rolls on across the Lone Star Sta

24 Aug 2026 1:00 AM
Severe Storms and Heavy Rain Across the East Coast

Severe Storms and Heavy Rain Across the East Coast

A stormy end to the week is taking shape for

21 Aug 2026 10:00 AM