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Cracked windows and dented vehicles
Tree branches broken under the weight of hail
Flash flooding in low-lying areas due to sudden rainfall
Emergency services in S-town are urging citizens to remain indoors, avoid driving, and report any serious damage or injuries.
Why Hailstorms Occur
Hail forms when strong updrafts in thunderstorms carry water droplets high into the atmosphere, where they freeze into ice. The frozen particles can grow larger as they are repeatedly lifted and coated with additional water before gravity finally pulls them to the ground.
Factors contributing to the severity of hail include:
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Temperature gradients in the atmosphere
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Wind speed in the storm system
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Storm intensity and the moisture content of clouds
These variables make predicting hail size and severity challenging, but weather alerts like today’s help communities prepare in advance.