What are Hailstorms? Hail is a type of precipitation similar to rain where raindrops from inside thunderstorm updrafts into extremely cold areas of the atmosphere and freeze. Hailstones grow by colliding with liquid water drops that freeze on contact. Most hailstones measure between 5 millimeters and 15 centimeters in diameter and can be round or jagged. Sometimes it grows as big as a baseball causing major damage to buildings, crops airplanes, homes, and vehicles. When it becomes heavy enough to overcome the strength of the thunderstorm updraft, hailstones fall and wreak havoc. If the winds near the surface are strong enough, hail can fall at an angle where Wind-driven hail can tear up siding on houses, break windows and blow into houses, break side windows on cars, and cause severe injury to people and animals. How to Stay Safe in a Hailstorm? We’d like to inform you of ways to stay safe when these extreme conditions occur. Here are 4 ways to prepare. 1. Plan, Plan, Plan A ha