Hail has surpassed hurricanes, floods, and tornadoes as the most costly weather hazard in the U.S. this year, with research suggesting that climate change will make hailstones even larger and more damaging. This trend is already driving up insurance premiums and causing concern across vulnerable regions.
A recent study by Northern Illinois University projects that the frequency of large hailstones could rise by up to 75% as global temperatures increase, leading to more severe storms. These powerful updrafts within storms allow hailstones to accumulate more ice, resulting in larger and more destructive impacts when they fall.
So far in 2024, hail has caused an estimated $31 to $49 billion in damages, contributing to a total of $61 billion in thunderstorm-related economic losses. The rising costs are forcing the insurance industry and federal agencies to reassess risks and premiums.
Scientists are planning the first U.S. field study of hail in decades, aiming to better understand and predict these damaging storms as the climate continues to warm.
FingerLakes1.com is the region’s leading all-digital news publication. The company was founded in 1998 and has been keeping residents informed for more than two decades. Have a lead? Send it to news@fingerlakes1.com.
