Dear Tom,
I remember back a couple of summers ago when it seemed like every thunderstorm produced hail in this area. When did that occur?
Stan Phillips
Dear Stan,
You are remembering the summer of 2003 when thunderstorms fell on 16 out of the 31 days from July 4-August 3. Many of the thunderstorms were severe, accompanied by damaging winds, flooding rains and a whole lot of hail. The hail was so prolific that some localities were hit on five or six separate occasions. Property damage from the barrage of hail was extensive, with estimates of damage running well in excess of $90 million. Roofs, siding, vegetation and automobiles took a beating with many auto dealerships forced to sell large inventories of highly discounted, hail-damaged cars. Most of the hail ranged in size from penny (0.75″ dia.) to golf ball (1.75″ dia.), but the largest stones were as big as tennis balls (2.50″ dia.).
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Tom Skilling is chief meteorologist at WGN-TV. His forecasts can be seen Monday through Friday on WGN-TV News at noon and 9 p.m.
Write to: ASK TOM WHY, 2501 Bradley Pl., Chicago, IL 60618 or asktomwhy@wgntv.com (Mail volume precludes personal response.)
WGN-TV meteorologists Steve Kahn, Richard Koeneman and Paul Dailey plus weather producer Bill Snyder contribute to this page.
