Scientists Chase Extreme Hailstorms Across the Plains to Uncover the Costliest Weather Threat

As severe weather batters the central U.S., a team of scientists is deliberately heading into the heart of hailstorms to study what has become one of the nation’s most expensive natural hazards. With damage estimates from hail reaching $10 billion annually, the ICECHIP project—a federally funded research initiative—is taking a groundbreaking approach by driving specialized vehicles into storms to gather direct data on hail formation, size, and impact.

The team includes researchers from multiple universities and is supported by both the National Science Foundation and the insurance industry. Outfitted with mesh-covered windshields and impact-measuring equipment, these scientists are charting hail sizes that exceed five inches in diameter. They’re also testing roofing materials and collecting clean hailstones with person-sized funnels before the ice hits the ground and picks up debris.

Their data-collecting journey spans states like Texas, Oklahoma, and Kansas, with daily forecasts guiding their storm-chasing routes. Meteorologists involved in the project say this research is vital for understanding how climate change may shift hail patterns, increasing the frequency and size of the most destructive stones. Larger hailstones are expected to become more common as storms intensify with global warming.

Hail is often under-prioritized in weather research, but it consistently ranks as a leading cause of billion-dollar disaster losses in the U.S. Scientists hope their findings can lead to better forecasts, improved building materials, and ultimately, a reduction in damage costs that are increasingly burdening insurers and homeowners alike.