Hail
Hail is precipitation that falls in the form of ice balls normally ranging between five and 50 millimeters (e.g., tiny pea to golf ball-sized) in diameter. However, some hailstones can grow to the size of a softball. The larger stones are usually caused by severe thunderstorms, and these can be especially dangerous. Aside from making it difficult to maneuver a car, these can also really damage the exterior of your vehicle by chipping the paint or putting dents in the body. Although it is not wise to drive at all in a hailstorm, sometimes it can’t be avoided. Here are some tips for doing so:
- Dial in to the weather forecast on the radio to stay alert on upcoming hailstorms.
- If a tornado is coming after the hail, to not attempt to race it because that’s a quick way to cause an accident.
- Turn your headlights on low.
- Drive much slower than normal, and give yourself a greater braking distance.
- If you absolutely must pull over, park on the shoulder of the road away from trees that could possibly land on your car. Then, turn on your emergency flashers.
- If it is an option, park in a garage (e.g., parking garage), or seek shelter underneath something sturdy that can stand up to the elements.
- Do not exit the vehicle until the hail has completely stopped.
- Do not go near fallen power lines.
- Be cautious as you approach an intersection, and stop at all traffic lights if they have lost power.
- Once the storm has subsided, inspect your car for any damage. If any windows were broken, remove the shards from the inside of the car, and cover the hole to avoid additional water damage to the vehicle’s interior.
Generally when it hails, drive as you would during a heavy rainstorm.