hailstorms

Scientists at a Colorado cold laboratory are working to better understand hail as the damage it causes continues to grow. Hail already causes billions of dollars in losses each year in the United States, and researchers warn that a warming climate could make severe hailstorms more frequent or more destructive. The reporting by Hannah Covington in High Country News highlights how little is still known about how hailstones form and grow inside storms, and why improved forecasting matters for insurers, farmers and homeowners across hail-prone regions.

Hail causes billions of dollars in damage each year across the United States, destroying roofs, crops and vehicles, and researchers warn the problem could intensify as climate conditions change. Reporting by High Country News examines why hailstorms are becoming a costlier threat and how communities and insurers are struggling to keep up with mounting losses.