Colorado Lives Up To Hail Rep With Heart Of Storm Season Ahead

By Chris Spears

DENVER (CBS4) - A new report shows that Colorado had the second highest number of losses in the United States due to hail damage between 2013-2015 with 182,591 claims.

Texas ranked first with 394,572 claims.

Hail can be expected in Colorado anytime between April and October but it can be especially bad in late spring and early summer.

Colorado lies in an area known as the 'hail capital' of the western world which includes the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains and cities like Denver, Colorado Springs, Pueblo and Fort Collins. This area can see up to 10 days with hail each season.

Hailstones grow inside of a cloud as supercooled water droplets freeze onto small ice crystals carried around by wind currents.

Eventually a hailstone's weight will overcome the strength of the updraft winds that keep it suspended in a cloud and it will fall to the ground.

Hailstones can cause tremendous damage to houses, vehicles and crops and can also be life threatening to both humans and animals.

The following is a list of Colorado's most costly hailstorms according to the Rocky Mountain Insurance Information Association.

July 20, 2009 - Denver Metro, $767.6 million
July 11, 1990 - Denver Metro, $625.0 million
June 6-15, 2009 - Denver Metro, $353.3 million
June 6-7, 2012 - CO Front Range, $321.1 million
June 13-14, 1984 - Denver Metro, $276.7 million
July 29, 2009 - Pueblo, $232.8 million
October 1, 1994 - Denver Metro, $225.0 million
September 29, 2014 - Denver Metro, $213.3 million
May 22, 2008 - Windsor, $193.5 million
July 13, 2011 - CO Front Range, $164.8 million

Meteorologist Chris Spears writes about stories related to weather and climate in Colorado. Check out his bio, connect with him on Facebook or follow him on Twitter @ChrisCBS4.