Hail Storms Ravage Central Florida

Hailstorms are not uncommon in Florida, with the state having a hail season from March to July, with the peak occurring in May. Severe thunderstorms produce hail at least the size of a quarter (1 inch) or larger and/or gusty winds of 58 mph (50 knots) or more. The largest hailstone ever recorded in Florida was 4.5 inches, observed on three occasions in Polk, Bradford, and Marion counties. Hail forms in thunderstorms with intense updrafts, and the more intense the thunderstorm updraft, the larger the hail typically is.