What makes one hailstone stronger than another? In our latest hail field campaign, IBHS engineers tested how hailstones respond to compression—then analyzed their internal structure using machine vision. 🧊 These insights help us better prepare homes and buildings. ⛈️

Take a look inside our recent #hail research. 🔬 Starting in the field during the @IBHShailstudy, IBHS engineers compressed hailstones to different levels based on the overall strength distribution of every stone tested. For the stones that withstood varying compression thresholds, the team preserved and cross-sectioned for further analysis. Then, using machine vision, our engineers examined the internal ice structure of each stone to learn more about what can make some hailstones stronger and others softer.

Take a look inside our latest #hail research. Engineers compressed hailstones to varying strength thresholds, then preserved & cross-sectioned ones that withstood testing. Using machine vision, we analyzed their internal structures to learn what makes some stronger than the rest.

Months of preparation go into every field campaign. From 3D scanning roof panels to packing trailers and gear, our team took key steps to that will help them collect data driving the future of hail research. Watch behind-the-scenes: youtu.be/4htmt3XanWM

One of my favorites is this cross-section of a grapefruit-sized hailstone from the remarkable Hockley County, Texas storm on May 28, 2024. @ibhshailstudy scanned and sliced them… the results were both scientific and beautiful. That storm produced 6-7” hail.

New Texas record! Researchers at @IBHS_org helped verify this hailstone record using AI and photo-machine vision. Although we typically 3D scan hailstones to validate records, this was the first time we used this method to document a record. Check it out: ncei.noaa.gov/news/new-texas…

On this date (4/28) in U.S. weather history: 6.42" hail (TEXAS, 2021). A NWS storm survey team and employees from the Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety (IBHS) conducted official… Data: NOAA NWS Storm Events (NCEI). wxmap.io/history/noaa-956759

IBHS #research has shown that 90% of homes with a garage door that survived severe weather had no structural damage to the roof. To best secure your home, IBHS recommends installing a wind-rated garage door that has been proven to withstand high wind. Learn more at ibhs.org/garagedoors/.

Storm damage can wreak havoc on your life. Here’s where to start ⬇️ IBHS Meteorologist & Science Producer Rachael Gauthier shares key steps homeowners should take after a storm with @kfor: kfor.com/video/storm-damage-…

Is your home #ThunderstormReady? If not, there's still time to prepare! ✅ To help you get started, check out the science-backed tips IBHS Meteorologist and Science Producer Rachael Gauthier shared with @N_SturdivantTV at @wcnc: wcnc.com/video/weather/tips-…

From Landfall to Preservation: Learn the @IBHS_Org team's process to creating a 3D model of large #hailstones - including state records! Catch the full video with Atmospheric Instrumentation Technician Lucas Faulkner: youtu.be/rL_DzSTadE0

Go behind-the-scenes with our @IBHSHailStudy Record Hail Response Team, @gensiniwx and @NIUlive scientists, as they confirmed the largest hailstone ever recorded in #Illinois this week. Watch the full process and learn how this research helps improve our understanding of hail and supports stronger, more resilient communities. @NSF_CIRCS youtu.be/KnWPFu-6Bc8

Ok, so we have a (*new!*) new potential record for largest IL hailstone found on 3/10/2026. Thank you to the Dorris family for letting us measure! I expect this to be the new IL record, but it will not be final until the SCEC meets to vote.

#JustIn: Illinois has a new #hail record. 🧊 This week, the IBHS Record Hail Response Team joined scientists at @NIUlive to confirm the largest hailstone ever recorded in the state, using our advanced 3D scanning technology. From the March 10 storm, the record-setting stone measured 168.05 mm at its max and 93.03 mm at its minimum, weighing 557.2 grams.

We did! ✅

It was a pleasure to welcome media partners into the lab to watch @IBHS_org scan what will become the new state of IL record for hail!

Huge thank you and shoutout to @IBHS_org @ibhshailstudy for coming to campus and 3-D scanning several stones!

I may be biased but the fact that our field can immortalize a hydrometeor that fell from the sky at 120 mph with little to no mass loss over 6 days is remarkable to me. Such awesome collaboration between ICECHIP and IBHS as well:

The hailstone weighs over 550 grams and is over 168 mm long!

The record will become official after the Il State Climate Extremes Committee (SCEC) meets to vote on the findings.