Giant hailstone in Texas sets record as state’s biggest
A destructive hailstorm that hit southern Texas on April 28, 2021, dropped a giant hailstone with a remarkable size of 16.3 cm (6.4 inches) in diameter — now confirmed as the state's largest hailstone on record, according to NOAA/NWS.
On April 28, a powerful line of storms brought tornadoes, flooding, and hail to the southern U.S., leaving a trail of destruction and 28 000 customers without power. Reports show that damages amounted to a billion dollars.
On May 6, hail experts from the Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety worked with NWS San Antonio to perform a 3D scan of the hailstone.
In a new report, the NOAA/NWS confirmed that a giant hailstone measuring 16.3 cm (6.4 inches) that hit Hondo, Texas, was the state's biggest on record.
"After reviewing the observational and meteorological evidence, the means and method of measurement, and previously documented stones, the SCEC unanimously agreed that the hailstone retrieved near Hondo on 28 April 2021 would set the inaugural SCEC record for the State of Texas in four metrics."
Further details show that the hail circumference is 50.1 cm (19.73 inches) and weighs 0.57 kg (1.26 lbs).
On May 12, an ad hoc State Climate Extremes Committee (SCEC) of meteorologists and scientists convened to analyze the evidence and past historical records and also confirmed that the Hondo hailstone was the state's biggest.
Unofficially, a hailstone between 15 and 20 cm (6 and 8 inches) in diameter hit Gay Hill, Texas, on December 6, 1892. Another storm on May 31, 1960, may have dumped hail of up to 20 cm (8 inches) in diameter.
The NWS and @disastersafety surveyed a giant hailstone that fell in Hondo, TX on April 28th, measuring 6.4" in diameter! The measurement will be presented to a State Climate Extreme Committee, who will be tasked to verify and determine what, if any, records were broken. pic.twitter.com/MPujiIXJBv
— NWS Austin/San Antonio (@NWSSanAntonio) May 7, 2021
#ICYMI, a record-setting ~6.4-inch hailstone fell in Hondo on April 28. Where in the hail is Hondo? Texas, silly, where everything is bigger. https://t.co/J7aDGAyPjD pic.twitter.com/CGnR0zzsDd
— NOAA NCEI Climate (@NOAANCEIclimate) June 26, 2021
Featured image credit: NOAA NCEI Climate
If you value what we do here, create your ad-free account and support our journalism.
Your support makes a difference
Dear valued reader,
We hope that our website has been a valuable resource for you.
The reality is that it takes a lot of time, effort, and resources to maintain and grow this website. We rely on the support of readers like you to keep providing high-quality content.
If you have found our website to be helpful, please consider making a contribution to help us continue to bring you the information you need. Your support means the world to us and helps us to keep doing what we love.
Support us by choosing your support level – Silver, Gold or Platinum. Other support options include Patreon pledges and sending us a one-off payment using PayPal.
Thank you for your consideration. Your support is greatly appreciated.
Sincerely,
Teo Blašković
Commenting rules and guidelines
We value the thoughts and opinions of our readers and welcome healthy discussions on our website. In order to maintain a respectful and positive community, we ask that all commenters follow these rules:
We reserve the right to remove any comments that violate these rules. By commenting on our website, you agree to abide by these guidelines. Thank you for helping to create a positive and welcoming environment for all.