Research The increase in losses resulting from severe convective storms continues to outpace advances in detection, forecasting, and mitigation. Hailstorms account for a large percentage of these losses; however, research activities focused on improving the ability to detect, forecast, and mitigate against this hazard have lagged behind those for hurricanes and tornadoes. The rapid advancement…
Research IBHS statisticians and engineers develop maps representing the frequency of hail reports in the United States. These maps illustrate the average number of reports per 100 square miles of hail greater than 1 inch. Insights [Members Only] Hailstorm Frequency Analysis 2003-2012 [Members Only] Hail Frequency Analysis 2008-2017 Data [Members Only] Data from the Hail…
Research This study reports on the accuracy and effectiveness of radar-based hail detection. Hail detection outputs from the National Weather Service (NWS) network of more than 150 Doppler radars form the backbone of many commercially available post-storm hail swath products. Comparisons with the ground-truth observations recorded during the IBHS hail field program are ideal for…
Research IBHS analyzes data from the Community Collaborative Rain Hail and Snow (CoCoRaHS) measurement program to understand hailstorm characteristics. CoCoRaHS is a successful citizen scientist observation campaign that collects precipitation measurements to supplement conventional observations. IBHS collaborated with the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) and Colorado State University (CSU) to compile CoCoRaHS hailpad observations…
Research In 2016-2017, IBHS conducted full-scale wind testing of photovoltaic (PV) arrays on a commercial structure. At the end of the testing program, there were some solar panels that completed testing and did not sustain physical damage. These panels provided an opportunity to conduct exploratory pilot hail impact testing. Impact tests were performed on panels…
Research IBHS tests the impact resistance commercially available asphalt shingles using both 1.5- and 2.0-inch diameter laboratory manufactured hailstones using the IBHS hail impact testing protocol. Laboratory and field research by IBHS has shown that the impact energy and material properties of laboratory hailstone sizes can be directly related to typical natural hailstones in non-wind…
Research IBHS developed methods for producing artificial hailstones and simulating realistic hail impacts, including the ability to conduct full-scale hail testing. This unique research is leading the way for improving products and standards that will help reduce damage and losses due to hail. Demonstration In 2013, researchers created more than 9,000 hailstones that were used…
Through an ongoing field study and collaboration with our academic partners, IBHS collects unique data from hailstorms to help improve detection, forecasting, and modeling capabilities of hail. This work will (1) allow for better prediction of the quantity and size of hailstones across a given storm area, (2) help improve loss prediction modeling, and (3) better inform claims adjusters…
The only lab in the world that can test full-scale one- and two-story residential and commercial buildings in a controlled, repeatable fashion for highly realistic windstorms, wind-driven rain, hailstorms and wildfire ember storms utilizing the unique features below.