Among all of the extreme weather events that can happen, hail is one that may sound like it's on the mild end of the spectrum; however, it has the potential for serious danger, especially when it's in the form of gorilla hail. If gorilla hail doesn't sound familiar, that's probably because it's not all that common. Storm chaser and meteorologist Reed Timmer coined the term "gorilla hail" and the name stuck. Gorilla hail refers to a shower of large hailstones measuring several inches in diameter, often described as the size of a baseball, softball, or grapefruit. Gorilla hail has impacted states including Texas, Missouri, and Kansas, with vehicles being dented, windshields cracked, and accumulations of up to 3 inches spotted on the ground. These massive ice balls form within severe thunderstorms when strong updrafts carry water droplets high into the atmosphere, where they freeze and accumulate additional layers of ice before falling to the ground. While homes may experience broken windows, damaged roofs and punctured siding, these large hailstones also pose a significant risk to personal safety, capable of causing serious injuries or even fatalities to those caught outdoors during a storm. The largest recorded hailstone was recorded in South Dakota, measuring 8 inches in diameter and weighing 1 pound 15 ounces. The National Weather Service warns people in impacted areas to head inside and away from any windows.
