Facts about Hail

Hail has caused property and agricultural damage across the nation to the tune of almost $1 billion. In July of 1990, Denver suffered an estimated $625 million in damages from a single storm.

The hail season in Colorado is March through October, with June having the higher frequency of storms producing hail. You'll find the majority of hail storms along the Front Range to the eastern plains.

Hail develops when strong rising currents of air within a storm, called updrafts, carry water droplets to a height where freezing occurs. Ice particles grow in size, finally becoming too heavy to be supported by the updraft and fall to the ground. Large hailstones fall at speeds faster than 100 mph.

Costly hail storms...

DATE
LOCATION
COST of DAMAGE
Aug. 9-11, 2004
Northeastern / Southern plains
$62.6 million
June 8-9, 2004
SW Denver, Lakewood, Golden
$146.5 million
June 12, 2002
Colorado Springs
$24.1 million
Oct. 15, 1998
Denver area
$87.8 million
Aug. 11, 1997
Denver area
$128 million
June 21-22, 1996
Denver/Larimer County
$100 million
May 22, 1996
Denver
$122 million
Oct. 1, 1994
Denver
$225 million
July 11, 1990
Denver/Front Range
$626 million
June 23, 1987
Pueblo/Fort Lupton/La Junta
$79 million
Aug. 2, 1986
Denver/Fort Collins/Longmont
$145 million
Aug. 21, 1984
Pueblo
$58 million
June 13-14, 1984
Denver/Arvada
$276.7 million

Hail Safety Tips

If you are in an automobile:

  • Stop driving. If you can see a safe place close by (like inside a garage, under a highway overpass, or under a service station awning), drive there as soon as you can. Make sure you pull completely off the highway.
  • Do NOT leave the vehicle until it stops hailing. Your car will furnish reasonable protection.
  • Stay away from car windows. Cover your eyes with something (like a piece of clothing). If possible, get onto the floor face down, or lie down on the seat with your back to the windows. Put very small children under you, and cover their eyes.

If you are in a building:

  • Stay inside until the hail stops.
  • Stay away from the windows, especially those being struck by hail.
  • Account for all family members, building occupants, pets, etc.
  • Do not go outside for any reason. Large hail can cause serious or even fatal injuries.
  • Avoid using phones and electrical appliances during a severe storm to avoid the danger of electrocution from lightning.

If you are outdoors:

  • If you are caught outdoors, seek shelter immediately. If you can't find something to protect your entire body, at least find something to protect your head.
  • Stay out of culverts and lowland areas that might fill suddenly with water.
  • Trees are a last resort. It is common during severe storms for trees to lose branches. Also, large isolated trees attract lightning.