Storm chasers are a unique breed, with some pursuing the thrill of tornadoes and others dedicated to capturing the power of hailstorms. The largest-ever field survey focusing on extreme hail, known as the ICECHIP project, is currently underway across the US Great Plains. More than 50 weather scientists are involved in this groundbreaking research, aiming to gather data on storms that produce hail ranging from golf ball-sized to grapefruit-sized.
Since mid-May, the ICECHIP team has been crisscrossing the region from the Texas panhandle to South Dakota, tracking down severe storms and measuring every aspect of their formation. Hailstorms cause billions of dollars in damage each year, yet predicting which storms will produce the most dangerous hail remains a challenge. The ICECHIP project seeks to change that by studying these storms in detail and correlating their characteristics with the size and intensity of the hail they generate.
A tornado captured near Arnett, Oklahoma
Ethan Mok
An average day for the ICECHIP team involves intense forecasting to locate storms like the one captured near Arnett, Oklahoma, on June 17th by team member Ethan Mok. In the image, a tornado is obscured by rain in the center of the storm, where the majority of the hail is falling.
Vehicles surround the storm to measure it
Will Sardinsky
As the Hail Hunter truck collects the largest hailstones from the storm core, other vehicles equipped with mobile radar, weather balloons, and drones encircle the area to gather data. Specialized equipment, like the hail-impact disdrometer shown below, is deployed to record the size distribution and impact velocity of the hail.
Hail-impact disdrometer
Will Sardinsky
After the storm passes, researchers survey the damage caused by the hail and collect as much ice as possible before it melts, ensuring valuable data is preserved. The ICECHIP project aims to enhance our understanding of severe hailstorms and improve forecasting models to mitigate their impact on communities.
