Hailstorm Outlook: What to Expect in 2025
Billion-dollar weather and climate disasters in the United States are on the rise, and hailstorms are a significant contributor.
(Source: NCEI)
According to the National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI), 27 confirmed weather and climate disasters exceeded $1 billion in damages during 2024, one short of the record of 28 set in 2023.
The disasters caused at least 568 direct or indirect fatalities and a combined cost of approximately $182.7 billion.
Hailstorms often accompany extreme weather events like winter blizzards, severe thunderstorms, and tornadoes.
Hailstones, those balls or irregular lumps of ice formed from precipitation, can range from the size of a pea to the size of a grapefruit and even larger.
In June 2024, a Texas hailstorm produced a state record-breaking 7.25-inch hailstone, about the size of a Monster energy drink.
Hailstorms cause significant damage to residential and commercial property, especially vehicles, rooftops, and windows.
(Source: PV Magazine)
Hailstorms also cause significant infrastructure damage, particularly to utility-scale solar panel installations, where they caused 73% of total financial losses from weather events in 2024.
So, after two straight years of record-breaking weather disasters, what can we expect in 2025?
More of the same?
Or worse?
Giant hail, Afton, TX, May 25, 2025 (Source: Weather.gov)
Hail Storm Damage in 2025
For much of the country, the most intense months for hail are typically April, May, and June, although damaging storms also occur frequently during the fall and winter months.
At the halfway point of 2025, numerous damaging hailstorms have already occurred across the US.
January 5–6, 2025 US Blizzard
The January 5–6, 2025 United States blizzard caused widespread damage across the High Plains region, which includes portions of Montana, South Dakota, Wyoming, Colorado, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas.
The storm system, unofficially nicknamed Winter Storm Beryl, also touched off 2025’s first tornado, which made landfall in Northern California, bringing heavy snowfall and quarter-sized hailstones.
States of emergency were declared in numerous states, and an estimated 365,000 people experienced power outages.
At least 10 deaths were attributed to the winter weather event.
2025 Gulf Coast Blizzard
The 2025 Gulf Coast blizzard brought wintry precipitation to areas like southwestern Louisiana, which received its first-ever blizzard warning from the National Weather Service.
Snowfall accumulation records were set in many parts of the country, and at least 77,000 people experienced blackouts.
At least 13 people died from the storm, and financial losses were estimated to be at least $500 million.
2025 Tornado Outbreaks
The 2025 tornado season has already seen a higher-than-average number of EF4 storms, the second strongest tornado rating on the Enhanced Fujita Scale.
Winds in EF4 tornadoes range from 166-200mph and frequently level buildings and homes.
March 13-16
March 2025 set a monthly record with over 118 confirmed tornadoes, including 3 EF4 twisters during the 13-16 outbreak.
A total of 42 people died from tornadic events in Missouri, Mississippi, Arkansas, and Alabama.
April 2-7 Tornado Outbreak and Floods
Early April brought a severe tornado outbreak and historic flash flooding in many parts of the Southern and Midwestern US.
Flash floods devastated the Ohio Valley, and major rivers overflowed, particularly in Kentucky, which received rainfall of over 15 inches in parts of the state.
Hailstones up to 2.75 inches in diameter were reported in multiple locations, primarily produced by tornadic supercells.
Over 318,000 people were left without power, and there were 24 fatalities from the tornadoes and floods.
May 15–16
Kentucky was hit hard again with a major outbreak in mid-May as 60 tornadoes tore through the Midwestern and Southeastern US, including 2 EF4 tornadoes with winds up to 190mph recorded in Marion, IL.
St. Louis Mayor Cara Spencer described it “as one of the worst storms in the city’s history adding that early estimates showed that about 5,000 buildings had sustained damage.”
Over 600,000 utility customers experienced power outages.
27 tornadic fatalities occurred, with another four storm-related deaths, and at least 168 injuries.
How Does Hail Form?
Hail starts when droplets of water in a thunderstorm cloud are carried into the upper atmosphere by updrafts of warm, moist air and supercooled to temperatures below freezing.
Even though temperatures are subzero, the droplets remain liquid until they collide with ice crystals or other frozen particles, like graupel.
On contact, the supercooled droplets freeze instantly and become part of the ice crystal, adding another layer through a process called accretion.
The updraft carries the crystals up and down within and above the thunderstorm, each time accumulating another layer of ice, similar to the layering that occurs when you roll a snowball down a hill. The diameter and weight keep increasing, and the layers of the hailstone can be clear or opaque depending on the rate of freezing.
Eventually, the hailstones accumulate sufficient mass that the updraft can no longer keep them in the upper atmosphere. The hail falls to earth as precipitation.
The variation in the size and diameter of hailstones depends primarily on the intensity of the updraft and how many round trips the ice particles take in the supercooled atmosphere.
The Role of Supercells in Hail Production
Supercell thunderstorms feature intense and persistent updrafts called mesocyclones, which keep ice particles in the clouds and the supercooling atmosphere for extended periods and produce exceptionally large, damaging hailstones.
Hail Alley in the Great Plains is a frequent victim of supercells and damaging hailstorms.
Hail and Climate Change
Research into the impact of global climate change on the frequency and intensity of hailstorms is ongoing, but many researchers feel there is a strong link.
Global temperatures are rising on average. Warmer air retains more moisture, potentially leading to higher storm intensity. Increased moisture could lead to more supercell storms and larger hailstones.
However, the relationship between warming temperatures and hail remains uncertain, and current climate models struggle with predicting future hail activity.
Safety Measures During Hailstorms
Hailstorms can be devastating to human life and property.
They’re also notoriously difficult to predict.
If you live in an area that’s prone to hail and severe thunderstorms, confirm that your homeowner’s insurance or other policy adequately covers you for hail damage.
Once a storm hits, the National Weather Service says the #1 hail rule is to “put as many walls [as possible] between you and the outside wind.”
Here are some other suggested actions to take.
Seek indoor shelter in a sturdy building
Stay away from windows, skylights, and glass doors
Keep an emergency supplies kit at home
Consider home backup battery power. Hailstorms frequently leave hundreds of thousands of utility customers without electricity for extended periods.
Protect your head with your arms or any available object if caught outdoors or in your vehicle.
If you’re driving, pull over as soon as possible to a safe location, away from power lines and trees.
Never try to outrun hail in your vehicle or on foot.
Stay informed by tuning into NOAA Weather Radio on a hand-crank or battery-operated radio.
Once the all-clear has sounded, carefully document any property damage for insurance purposes.
Beware of insurance scammers. Roofing and hail fraud scams are widespread after major storms. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
Final Thoughts
The rise in extreme weather events and natural disasters like hailstorms, tornadoes, and wildfires has underlined how essential it is to be prepared for emergencies.
Some events, like wildfires and floods, often require widespread evacuations, while severe thunder and hailstorms usually require sheltering in place.
In 2025, millions have already been left without power during blizzards, hurricanes, tornadoes, hailstorms, and other extreme weather events.
Investing in essential or whole-home backup power is one of the best ways to prepare for the unexpected.
EcoFlow has a variety of whole-home generators and battery backup power solutions that can help keep you and your family safe during extended power outages.
Check out our selection today.