You're probably familiar with hail — ice balls falling from the sky. But where does hail come from? And why is it most common in the summer, when it's warm?
When warm, moist summer air gets pushed up into the sky, it can create an updraft, pulling more air with it. The updraft quickly pulls more air up and up. As the air rises, the moisture cools rapidly, freezing into tiny ice particles.
The tiny ice particles go through a falling and rising cycle in the air, picking up more moisture and freezing it. Eventually, it grows too heavy for the updraft to hold. That's when it falls to the ground and becomes hail.
Hail can range in size and speed. Anything larger than a quarter, which is about an inch in diameter, is considered to be severe. Larger hail causes catastrophic damage to property and poses a serious threat to injury or death.
What should you do if you find yourself caught in a hail storm? First, get inside, whether it's your home or a public building. Be sure to protect your head — anything you can find, even a jacket, helps. If you're at home, make sure all family members and pets are indoors, too.
If you're driving, pull over and stay in the car. Try to stay away from the windows and toward the center of the vehicle as much as possible. Cover your eyes and head with whatever you have in the car.
Make sure you have a storm preparedness plan for your home, including supplies. Like other storms, hail can lead to damage and loss of power.
Knowing what to do and when to do it can keep you and your family safe. Visit IndianaMichiganPower.com/Weather for weather-ready tips to help you be prepared before, during and after the storm.