Categories: Windows

Damage From June Hailstorms Visible From Space

Last June, a hailstorm hit western and central South Dakota so hard that the damage shows up in space. Bad weather is a fact of life, and as a responsible homeowner, make sure your home is ready. Renewal by Andersen® of Rapid City, trusted replacement window contractor, discusses this news:

June’s Hailstorms

Hailstorm usually strips vegetation away, which means hail-stripped areas don’t have an upper layer of protection that makes them hotter than the surrounding areas. NASA’s satellite sensors, which can detect land surface heat, showed a light brown area that stretched across more than half the state; in some areas, the hail damage is six miles wide. The hailstorms produced large hail that damaged vehicles and busted house windows. Fortunately, no injuries were reported.

How Hail Forms

Hailstorms form within a particularly unstable air mass. This is an air mass where temperature falloff with height is much greater than usual. This unstable air produces large updraft speeds that are fast enough to keep small hailstones from dropping to the ground. In a hailstorm, small ice particles collect water on them and form a water shell that grows larger thanks to the tilted updraft. Hail gets bigger until it becomes too heavy for the updraft or it gets caught in a downdraft.

As an experienced window installation company, we recommend making sure your home is ready for hail. Knowing how hail forms and its destructive capabilities allows you to make specific home upgrades to reinforce your defenses.

Preparing Your Home for a hailstorm

You can’t stop a hailstorm from doing damage, but you can limit the amount of damage it does to your home. Inspect parts of your home that protect your interior if they are in good condition. Have your roof, siding, windows, and doors inspected and replace them if necessary. Keep the trees near your home trimmed because failing branches can cause damage.

Our residential window services can help protect your interior by some of the best replacement windows on the market. In addition to being durable and tough, our products are also energy-efficient, beautiful, and environmentally friendly. Call us at (605) 341-7831 to learn more about our services and products or to ask for a free consultation. We serve Rapid City, SD, and other areas.

Andy Stellpflug

Recent Posts

What Window Features Do Home Buyers Look For?

When preparing your home for sale or upgrading it for long-term value, understanding which window…

6 days ago

Muntins vs. Mullions: What’s the Difference?

Windows are more than just functional elements in your home—they play a key role in…

1 week ago

Why a Strong Warranty Is a Sign of a Good Window Company

Choosing new windows and doors is a significant investment for your home. In a place…

2 weeks ago

What Is Low-E Glass?

When considering a window upgrade for your home—especially in a climate like Rapid City, SD—choosing…

3 weeks ago

Why It’s Always Best to Choose a Manufacturer-Certified Window Contractor

When planning home window upgrades, you want to ensure every dollar is well spent. Partnering…

1 month ago

How to Use Solar Heat Gain to Your Advantage

Rapid City's climate brings frosty winters and sunny summers, making smart energy management essential for…

1 month ago