Hail storms
Nature
Convective storm clouds can provide the conditions for growth of hailstones, although the larger hailstones grow only inside the largest and severest storms where the core winds have very high upward velocities. Hail storms cause considerable damage to crops and property since the stones range in size from 5mm in diameter to 50 mm or more. The degree of damage is determined by whether the hail is accompanied by rain or wind.
Background
Hail storms have been documented as destructive weather events since ancient times, with early records from China, Europe, and India noting crop devastation and loss of life. Their global significance grew in the 20th century as meteorological science advanced, revealing patterns of increasing frequency and severity in some regions. Modern satellite monitoring and insurance data have further highlighted hail storms as a persistent, costly threat to agriculture, infrastructure, and communities worldwide.
Incidence
Hail storms mainly occur in temperate climates. The air is seldom unstable enough in the polar regions and the freezing level is too high in the tropics. In the USA it is estimated that annual crop losses from hail storms are $200-300 million (greater than that caused by tornadoes).
Claim
Hail storms are a critical and urgent problem that cannot be ignored. They cause devastating damage to homes, vehicles, crops, and infrastructure, costing billions every year and threatening livelihoods. The unpredictability and increasing frequency of hail storms, likely fueled by climate change, demand immediate attention and action. Ignoring this escalating threat is irresponsible—governments, communities, and individuals must prioritize solutions to protect lives, property, and our food supply from this destructive force.
Counter-claim
Frankly, hail storms are not an important problem at all. Compared to real global crises like climate change, poverty, or pandemics, worrying about occasional ice pellets seems trivial. Modern infrastructure and insurance easily handle hail damage. Focusing on hail storms distracts from urgent issues that actually threaten lives and livelihoods. Let’s stop exaggerating their impact and direct our attention to problems that truly matter on a global scale.
Broader
SDG
Metadata
Database
World problems
Type
(D) Detailed problems
Biological classification
N/A
Subject
- Meteorology » Meteorology
Content quality
Presentable
Language
English
1A4N
D0251
DOCID
11402510
D7NID
162601
Editing link
Official link
Last update
Oct 4, 2020