Massive Hailstone Discovered
Storm chasers Val and Amy Castor discovered a colossal hailstone in the Texas Panhandle, which could set a new state record. Measuring over 7 inches, the hailstone was found near Vigo Park while they tracked a severe thunderstorm on June 2.
A rare find
“I’ve been chasing storms for over 30 years and that’s the biggest hail I’ve ever seen,” Castor told the Associated Press. The hailstone, visible from 100 yards away, dwarfs the current Texas record holder, a 6.4-inch hailstone found in Hondo in 2021.
Verification pending
A team of researchers, including the Texas state climatologist, needs to verify the hailstone’s size before it can be officially recognized. “The wait is almost over!” stated the National Weather Service in Lubbock on social media, highlighting the potential new record.
Historical context
The largest hailstone ever recorded in the United States measured 11 inches in diameter and weighed nearly 2 pounds, discovered near Vivian, South Dakota, in July 2010, according to the National Centers for Environmental Information.
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