How large is 'golf ball-sized' hail, and other hail measurements

The National Weather Service often estimates the hail by comparing it to a known object.

A thunderstorm is moving in and you're hearing reports from spotters that hail is moving in. Meteorologists determine the severity of the storm by the diameter of the hailstones -- the larger the hailstone, the stronger the updraft fueling the storms.

But it may be difficult to visualize offhand how large a 1/2-inch hailstone is versus an inch or two inches.

LEARN: 7 Facts About Hail 

To that end, the National Weather Service often estimates the hail by comparing it to a known object. Most hailstorms are made up of a mix of different sizes, and only the very largest hailstones pose a serious risk to people caught in the open.  

According to the NWS, when reporting hail, estimates comparing the hail to a known object with a definite size are good, but measurements using a ruler, calipers, or a tape measure are best. Here are the most common measurements:        

  • Pea = 1/4 inch diameter
  • Mothball = 1/2 inch diameter
  • Penny = 3/4 inch diameter
  • Nickel = 7/8 inch
  • Quarter = 1 inch — hail quarter size or larger is considered severe
  • Ping-Pong Ball = 1 1/2 inch
  • Golf Ball = 1 3/4 inches
  • Tennis Ball = 2 1/2 inches
  • Baseball = 2 3/4 inches
  • Tea cup = 3 inches
  • Softball = 4 inches
  • Grapefruit = 4 1/2 inches

The largest hailstone recorded in the U.S. was 8 inches in diameter and 18.62 inches in circumference, found in Vivian, South Dakota, in 2010. That's about the size of a volleyball! It weighed nearly 2 pounds. 

Golf ball- to softball-sized hail can fall at speeds ranging from 44 to 72 mph, according to the National Weather Service, while larger stones can reach 100 mph.
 

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