We’ve had a number of thunderstorms, wind storms, and showers roll across the Regina area over the past few days and it certainly has got things growing in leaps and bounds. Crops, gardens, grass, and, of course, those pesky weeds are all popping up and making Saskatchewan look very green. Thankfully (knock on wood) we haven’t had any serious hail storms roll through the province causing significant damage to structures and vegetation.
The southern United States and parts of Mexico are baking under a tremendous “heat dome” while other parts are experiencing vicious thunderstorms. Storm chasers near Vigo Park, Texas, in the state’s northern region, discovered what could be the largest hail stone in Texas’ history. While tracking down a storm, Val and Amy Castor got caught in a vicious downpour of hail, causing significant damage to their vehicle and windshield. Off to the side of the road, in the ditch, the storm chasers spotted a piece of hail roughly the size of a pineapple.
The piece of hail measures over seven inches long, breaking a 2021 Texas hail stone record of 6.4 inches found near the community of Hondo. This chunk of hail will most likely become a state record, but is it the largest ever in North America? The answer is no. To date, the largest recorded piece of hail in North America fell near Vivian, South Dakota in July 2021, weighing in at almost two pounds, a length of 8 inches, and a circumference of nearly 19 inches. Let’s just say, it hasn’t been easy for Vivian to attract another insurance dealer to the area!
