Earlier this month, Val and Amy Castor, veteran storm chasers with KWTV in Oklahoma City, discovered a massive hailstone in the Texas Panhandle.
Discovering the hailstone while chasing a major thunderstorm system near Vigo Park, the pair’s attention was immediately drawn to its size.
A Stunning Find
During their chase, the Castors encountered several baseball-sized hailstones that pelted their vehicle. One of these hailstones even cracked their windshield.
Then, they discovered a hailstone in a ditch that measured over 7 inches in length. “That’s the biggest hail I’ve ever seen, and I’ve been chasing storms for more than 30 years,” Castor said.
A State Record May Have Been Broken
The hailstone discovered by Val and Amy Castor is believed to top the current Texas state hailstone record of 6.4 inches, found in Hondo in 2021.
To officially confirm this new record, a team of researchers, including the Texas state climatologist, will examine the hailstone.
An Impressive Find
The newly discovered Texas hailstone is impressive in size and among the largest ever documented in the US, but a 2010 discovery still has it beat.
The largest hailstone recorded in the United States had a diameter of 11 inches and weighed nearly 2 pounds. This record-setting hailstone was discovered near Vivian, South Dakota, in July 2010.
How Does Hail Form?
Hailstones form in strong thunderstorm clouds with intense updrafts. These updrafts carry water droplets upward, where they freeze and accumulate layers of ice.
Hailstones grow larger as they are tossed up and down within the cloud until they become too heavy and fall to the ground.
The Danger of Hailstones
Large hailstones can cause significant damage to property and crops. The hailstone that cracked Val Castor’s windshield provided a prime example of this.
In severe cases, hailstones can even pose a risk to people and animals caught outside, emphasizing the importance of staying up to date with weather warnings and following precautions.
Why Storm Chasers Remain Crucial
Storm chasers like Val and Amy Castor have a crucial role to play in improving our understanding of severe weather phenomena. Through capturing real-time data and observations, they help meteorologists improve weather prediction models.
The efforts of storm chasers also contribute to public safety by providing early warnings and other valuable information about storms.
The Verification Process For Hailstone Claims
To verify the record status of the hailstone discovered by Val and Amy Castor, researchers and meteorologists will take precise measurements of it and compare them to previous records.
The Texas state climatologist will be part of the team conducting this verification, making sure that all standards and protocols are met to ensure accurate documentation.
Texas’s Fascinating Hail History
Texas has a history of large hailstone discoveries, with several notable records set over the years.
The Castor’s discovery adds to the state’s legacy of extreme weather events and highlights the state’s susceptibility to severe hailstorms.
What Does The Future Hold?
Continued research and storm tracking are essential for understanding these changes and preparing for future events. As climate patterns evolve, scientists predict that changes will take place in the frequency and intensity of severe weather, including hailstorms.
The Castor’s discovery of a potentially record-breaking hailstone demonstrates the importance of meteorological studies and the valuable contributions of storm chasers.
