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Hail Safety Explained: Protecting Yourself and Your Property

June 18, 2026 · The Clime Team

Hailstorms can cause significant damage to property and pose serious risks to personal safety. Understanding hail formation, recognizing severe weather threats, and implementing protective measures are crucial steps in safeguarding yourself and your property. This guide provides comprehensive information on hail safety, including definitions, threat levels, and recommended actions during hail events.

What Is Hail and How Does It Form?

Hail is a form of solid precipitation consisting of balls or lumps of ice. It forms within strong thunderstorms when updrafts carry raindrops into extremely cold areas of the atmosphere, causing them to freeze. These frozen particles can grow larger as they are lifted and refrozen multiple times before falling to the ground when they become too heavy for the updrafts to support. Hailstones can vary in size from small pellets to large, damaging stones.

What Constitutes a Severe Thunderstorm?

A thunderstorm is classified as severe if it produces:

Hail with a diameter of at least 1 inch (quarter-sized or larger).
Wind gusts of 58 mph (50 knots) or greater.

These criteria are set by the National Weather Service to help identify storms that pose significant risks to life and property. (weather.gov)

Understanding Hail Sizes and Their Potential Impact

Hailstones are categorized based on their size, which correlates with the potential damage they can cause:

Non-Severe Hail:
Pea-size (~1/4 inch): Minimal damage.
Dime to Nickel-size (~3/4 inch): Minor damage.
Severe Hail:
Quarter-size (~1 inch): Can cause damage to vehicles and roofs.
Half Dollar-size (~1.25 inches): Increased risk of damage to structures and crops.
Golf Ball-size (~1.75 inches): Significant damage potential.
Significant Severe Hail:
Hen Egg-size (~2 inches): Major damage to buildings and vehicles.
Tennis Ball-size (~2.5 inches): Extensive damage.
Baseball-size (~2.75 inches): Severe damage.
Grapefruit-size (~4 inches): Catastrophic damage.
Softball-size (~4.5 inches): Extreme damage potential.

Recognizing the size of hailstones can help in assessing the severity of a storm and the potential risks involved. (weather.gov)

How to Stay Safe During a Hailstorm

Implementing the following safety measures can significantly reduce the risk of injury and property damage during a hailstorm:

Seek Shelter Immediately:
Indoors: Move to a small interior room on the lowest floor of your home, school, or business. Avoid windows and cover yourself with something padded, such as pillows or a mattress, to protect against flying debris.
In a Vehicle: If you are driving, find a sturdy building or hardtop vehicle to take shelter in. Avoid stopping under bridges or overpasses, as they can create wind tunnels that may increase the risk of injury. (weather.gov)
Protect Your Property:
Vehicles: If time permits, move vehicles into garages or under carports to prevent damage. Bring in pets and secure outdoor items that could become hazardous projectiles.
Windows: Close all windows and doors to prevent hail from entering and causing interior damage. (weather.gov)
Stay Informed: Monitor local weather reports and heed any severe weather warnings issued by authorities. This information can provide updates on the storm's progression and any additional safety recommendations. (weather.gov)

After the Hailstorm: Assessing Damage and Reporting

Once the storm has passed, exercise caution when assessing damage:

Inspect Property: Look for signs of damage to roofs, windows, vehicles, and outdoor structures. Be aware that hailstones can cause dents, broken windows, and structural damage.
Report Severe Hail: If you observe hailstones the size of dimes or larger, or experience wind damage such as downed trees or power lines, contact local law enforcement to relay this information to the National Weather Service. Your reports help authorities warn others in the affected area. (weather.gov)

Conclusion

Understanding hail formation, recognizing the signs of severe thunderstorms, and taking appropriate safety measures are essential steps in protecting yourself and your property during hailstorms. By staying informed and prepared, you can minimize the risks associated with these powerful weather events.

Highlights:

Severe Thunderstorm Safety