Do tornadoes or hailstorms do more damage?

Tornadoes and hailstorms are two of the most destructive weather events in the United States. Each year, around 1,200 tornadoes hit the country, causing significant damage and loss of life. Tornadoes are particularly feared because of their ability to destroy everything in their path. For instance, in 2011, a series of tornadoes killed many people in a single day. However, hailstorms can be equally, if not more, dangerous. In 2023, hailstorms caused more fatalities than tornadoes. Hailstorms are responsible for 60-80% of the insured losses from severe thunderstorms in the US. This makes them a significant concern for the insurance industry. Hail may seem harmless if you have only experienced small hailstones, but it can be incredibly destructive. In June, a plane traveling from Spain to Austria had its nose cone ripped away and its cockpit windows smashed by hail. In 2018, large hailstones killed two birds and injured 14 people. Although rare, hail can also be fatal to humans. Harold Brooks, a senior research scientist at the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, notes that hail is a more frequent threat than tornadoes. He recalls a hailstorm in April 2021 that caused extensive damage to his home. Tornadoes often receive more attention because they are visually dramatic and evoke a strong emotional response. However, hailstorms can last for hours and cover large areas, making them a significant challenge for the insurance industry. Only about 10% of hail-producing thunderstorms cause damage, but those that do can be extremely costly. The largest hailstone recorded in the US was in South Dakota in June 2010. Even smaller hailstones can cause significant damage. At just 1 inch, hail can damage vegetation. At 1. 5 inches, it can dent cars and damage roofs. At 2 inches, it can crack car windshields and damage buildings. At 4 inches, hail can penetrate roofs. If you find yourself in the path of a tornado, the threat is extreme. Tornadoes can be deadly. Brooks can list several years that had severe tornado outbreaks, but there is no clear definition of what constitutes a severe outbreak. The two threats, hail and tornadoes, are related. The same atmospheric conditions that create tornadoes can also produce hail. Climate change is making storms stronger, leading to the formation of larger hailstones. However, the warming climate also causes more small hailstones to melt before they reach the ground. Brooks agrees that the conditions for large hail have become more favorable as the climate has warmed. Despite the significant threat posed by hailstorms, much remains unknown about them. Scientists are conducting new field studies to better understand hailstorms. They hope this research will improve weather forecasting. New materials are being developed to better withstand hail, but there are currently no building codes that require hail resistance. The US does have tornado-resistant design requirements for critical facilities like hospitals and schools, but there is a question of whether these should be expanded to other types of buildings. For Ian Giammanco, a meteorologist, the question of which is more dangerous, hail or tornadoes, comes down to cost versus threat to life. Hail causes significant property damage, but tornadoes are more deadly. Tornadoes are the most violent wind storms on earth.