Hail size

[hurricanedude]

Hail Size

The term "large hail" is usually used to describe hail of 3/4" or greater, and the term "small hail" means hail of less than 3/4" in diameter. The table below shows (in inches) various sizes of hail and the common items to which they are compared:

0.25 inches in diameter = pea size 0.50 inches in diameter = marble size
0.75 in diameter = dime size 0.88 in diameter = nickel size
1.00 inch in diamter = quarter size 1.25 inches in diameter = half dollar size
1.50 inches in diameter = ping pong ball size 1.75 inches in diameter = golf ball size
2.00 inches in diameter = hen egg size 2.50 inches in diameter = tennis ball size
2.75 inches in diameter = baseball size 3.00 inches in diameter = tea cup size
4.00 in diameter = grapefruit size 4.50 inches in diameter = softball size

[breeze]

Aw, hail, dude! (*breeze ducking under the table)

Really, I didn't know that EXACT circumference was
used...I always thought it was an estimation only!

[Amanzi]

Me too Breeze, I thought it was just an estimate, thanks for that though very interesting indeed!

[southerngale]

Softball size hail??

OUCH!

[TexasStooge]

The hail I saw Saturday night is right about 1.50 inches in diameter.

[isobar]

I never realized softballs were larger than grapefruits. Thankya!

The largest hailstone ever recorded measured 17.5" in circumference (not diameter). Coffeyville, KS - Sept. 3, 1970. It weighed 1.67 lbs and is estimated to have hit the ground at 105 mph! It looked like volleyball size. :o

[isobar]

Just found a link that stated the Coffeyville hailstone was 7.5" in diameter. Can you imagine what that sounds like hitting the ground, cars, windows, etc.????

[ColdFront77]

I thought I would kindly make this list easier to read.

0.25 inches in diameter = pea size
0.50 inches in diameter = marble size
0.75 in diameter = dime size
0.88 in diameter = nickel size
1.00 inch in diamter = quarter size
1.25 inches in diameter = half dollar size
1.50 inches in diameter = ping pong ball size
1.75 inches in diameter = golf ball size
2.00 inches in diameter = hen egg size
2.50 inches in diameter = tennis ball size
2.75 inches in diameter = baseball size
3.00 inches in diameter = tea cup size
4.00 in diameter = grapefruit size
4.50 inches in diameter = softball size

[JQ Public]

good thing they have real numbers attached to these names or i'd have to run around the house looking for a hen egg and a ping pong ball.