Hail is finally getting its turn in the spotlight. ICECHIP is a massive, international field project with 100+ researchers, mobile radars, drones, hail pads, impact disdrometers, and even portable freezers—built to measure hail from cloud to ground and everything in between.

In this episode of HailChatter, Meteorologist Taylor Cox and Collin Hunt interview Becky Adams-Selin and John Allen to unpack why hail has been under-researched and how ICECHIP ran a 6-week chase across Texas to North Dakota.

From limitations of MESH to brand-new tools like hail cameras and fall-speed radars, this is a rare look behind the scenes of the biggest hail study in over 40 years.

Don’t miss the Part 2 follow-up in two weeks—subscribe so you get it the moment it drops: https://www.youtube.com/@HailTrace?sub_confirmation=1

#HailTrace #HailChatter #Hail #ICECHIP

ABOUT HAILCHATTER

Welcome to HailChatter, the HailTrace podcast that helps those in the restoration industry understand weather and its impact on their work. HailChatter is hosted by HailTrace's Taylor Cox, Digital Meteorologist with 5 years of experience in Plains weather, and Collin Hunt, Product Evangelist with 7 years experience in product messaging. Tune in every other Tuesday as they break down storms, uncover opportunities, and help the restoration industry weather every season.

ABOUT HAILTRACE

HailTrace is a weather technology company that simplifies storm data, empowering the restoration industry to respond instantly with reliable information. They do this through meteorologist-created storm maps, detailed weather reports, and sales tools that help teams reach the right neighborhoods first and confidently sell there.

CHAPTERS

0:00 - What is ICECHIP and why is hail finally getting its moment in research?

2:08 - How did 100+ scientists from 4 countries unite to study hail?5:15 - What are the biggest gaps in hail science and radar products like MESH?

9:01 - Why study hail instead of tornadoes or wind?

11:38 - What was it like chasing storms for six weeks across the Plains?

15:33 - What new technology was used to capture hail size, speed, and shape?

21:43 - How 7,000 hailstones were collected and how this research could change weather forecasting

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Epic Hail Chase! 7,000 Hailstones Collected by ICECHIP | S2 E6 | HailChatter | HailTracehttps://www.youtube.com/@HailTrace

Downbursts are powerful, straight-line winds that explode out of thunderstorms and can topple trees, power lines, and even damage roofs with 80–100 mph force.

In this episode of HailChatter, Meteorologists Taylor Cox and Collin Hunt sit down with NSSL researcher Charles Kuster to explain what downbursts are, how radar helps detect them, and why new forecasting tools are keeping communities safer.

From the 2011 Norman downburst to the recent Austin event, we unpack the science and the impacts you need to know.

Don't miss a video! Subscribe NOW!

#HailTrace #HailChatter #Downbursts

ABOUT HAILCHATTER

Welcome to HailChatter, the HailTrace podcast that helps those in the restoration industry understand weather and its impact on their work. HailChatter is hosted by HailTrace's Taylor Cox, Digital Meteorologist with 5 years of experience in Plains weather, and Collin Hunt, Product Evangelist with 7 years experience in product messaging. Tune in every other Tuesday as they break down storms, uncover opportunities, and help the restoration industry weather every season.

ABOUT HAILTRACE

HailTrace is a weather technology company that simplifies storm data, empowering the restoration industry to respond instantly with reliable information. They do this through meteorologist-created storm maps, detailed weather reports, and sales tools that help teams reach the right neighborhoods first and confidently sell there.

WANT MORE WEATHER?! Subscribe for more!

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• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hailtrace
• TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@hailtraceFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/HailTrace/
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@HailTrace

CHAPTERS0:

00-2:30 Why do downbursts matter and how common are they?

2:30-5:20 Who is Charles Kuster and how did he get into downburst research?

5:20-7:40 What exactly is a downburst and how is it different from a tornado?

7:40-10:15 Are terms like “rain bomb” or “downward tornado” accurate to describe downbursts?

10:15-13:00 What happened during the 2011 Norman downburst and other recent cases?

13:00-15:40 How did plane crashes in the 60s, 70s & 80s prompt downburst research?

15:40-18:20 How does dual-pol radar help to spot wet downbursts and hail?

18:20-20:50 Can we detect dry downbursts and what are the current limits?

20:50-23:00 What does a KDP core look like and how do warnings improve safety?

23:00-25:12 What’s next for downburst research and how will it reach operations?

Devastating Downbursts Bring NEW Research and Faster Warning Times | S2 E5 | HailChatter | HailTrace

Wichita, Kansas just lived through a rare September run of severe weather — two hailstorms in a week and reports of softball-size hail in southern Kansas.

In this episode of HailChatter, Meteorologist Taylor Cox and Collin Hunt react to storm chaser Justin Hugh’s wild story of being pummeled by 5” hailstones and having his car struck by lightning during a similar September hailstorm back in 2010.

They also give you a behind-the-scenes look at how Meteorologists tracked the September 3, 2025 hailstorm that slammed Wichita, Kansas.

👉 This is an episode you don’t want to miss! Like and subscribe for more storm stories and restoration insights.

👉 Watch our full Wichita radar breakdown with CEO Derik Kline here. https://www.youtube.com/live/B2ez5ZfHQo0

HailChatter — where restoration meets weather.

Chapters:

0:00–0:56 Why did Kansas get pounded by massive hailstorms in September?

0:56–2:12 How big was the record-setting hailstone that fell in Kansas?

2:12–3:47 What happened when storm chaser Justin Hughes got trapped in giant hail?

3:47–5:19 Could a nearly 8-inch hailstone really smash through a roof?

5:19–6:48 What was it like to have your car struck by lightning during a hailstorm?

6:48–9:30 How did two Wichita hailstorms explode out of nowhere in 2025?

9:30–13:45 How do meteorologists use radar to spot monster hail?

13:45–16:04 How does HailTrace prove where the biggest hail really fell?

#HailChatter #HailTrace #KansasHail

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From storm chasing to forecasting hurricanes, HailTrace CEO Derik Kline joins Meteorologist Taylor Cox and Collin Hunt to break down how he’s forecasted the weather for 25+ years.

He answers questions like why weather apps get it wrong and what models can (and can’t) tell you. Plus, we take a look back on weather forecasting over the last 25 years and a look at the future of AI in meteorology.

Weather always has a way of humbling you. Here’s a video breakdown:

(00:00 - 02:20) How has forecasting changed since the 90s?

(02:20 - 05:28) How do meteorologists forecast the weather?

(05:28 -07:30) How can models hurt a weather forecast?

(07:30 - 09:00) Forecasting vs Nowcasting while storm chasing

(09:00 - 11:45) Why are weather apps wrong?

(11:45 - 14:51) What does POP mean?

(14:51 - 16:55) Which Weather Model is the Best?(16:55 - 21:30) Major Forecasting Busts

(21:30 - 28:46) Can AI improve or replace weather forecasting?

#weather #Forecast #StormChasing #SevereWeather #Meteorology

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Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HailTrace/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@HailTrace

What’s it like to fly into powerful storms—sometimes at night—with lightning flashing all around you? Dr. Dan Stechman, a Meteorological Software Engineer at HailTrace, shares what it’s really like inside NOAA’s Hurricane Hunter aircraft.

From flying through massive nighttime thunderstorms to capturing tornado data from the air, Dan breaks down the science behind these missions—and why it matters to everyone.

👉 Like, subscribe, and share this with someone who loves crazy weather and restoration insights.

Chapters

(00:00 - 01:19) What is it like to fly on a NOAA hurricane hunter plane?

(01:19 - 02:40) Why would a scientist fly into a nighttime thunderstorm?

(02:40 - 05:24) How do hurricane hunter planes work and are they safe?

(05:24 - 06:50) What have PECAN and TORUS taught us about tornadoes?

(06:50 - 07:45) Why can’t radars see what’s happening near the ground?

(07:45 - 08:41) Who’s onboard a hurricane hunter flight?

(08:41 - 11:55) What’s it like to see a tornado from the air?

(11:55 - 16:30) How do NOAA scientists prepare for dangerous flights?

(16:30 - 22:28) How did NOAA’s hiring freeze change meteorology careers?

(22:28 - 29:06) Why does losing weather balloon launches matter?

(29:06 - 30:23) Why does NOAA’s data matter for everyone?

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X: https://twitter.com/HailTraceInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/hailtrace

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@hailtrace

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HailTrace/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@HailTrace#HurricaneHunter

#SevereWeather #Stormchasing #HailTrace #ExtremeWeather #Tornado

Season 2 of HailChatter kicks off with the 2025 Atlantic hurricane season forecast!

HailTrace CEO Derik Kline joins us live to break down what areas will be most impacted in this year's hurricane season!

We cover how El Niño vs La Niña could shape the season, why certain U.S. coastlines are more at risk, and what people need to do to prepare for hurricanes.

💥 What you’ll learn in this episode:

✅ 2025 hurricane season forecast predictions

✅ El Niño vs La Niña explained

✅ Landfall hotspots for the U.S. coast

✅ 2024 season recap and lessons

Chapters

(00:00 - 02:15) Welcome to Season 2 of HailChatter

(02:15 - 07:40) What can we learn from the 2024 hurricane season?

(07:40 - 14:30) How do El Niño and La Niña shape hurricanes?

(14:30 - 18:50) Can you answer our hurricane season trivia?

(18:50 - 25:00) Where do hurricanes hit most often?

(25:00 - 31:10) What’s it like to be a storm chaser in a hurricane

(31:10 - 38:00) How does NOAA’s forecast compare to Colorado State’s for 2025?

(38:00 - 45:20) What is wind shear and why does it kill hurricanes?

(45:20 - 51:00) How do sea surface temperatures shape the path of storms?

(51:00 - 56:56) What challenges do contractors and adjusters face after a hurricane?

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Subscribe for more!

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#2025HurricaneSeason #HurricaneForecast #AtlanticHurricanes #ElNino #LaNina

You think a marginal risk day is boring? Nothing is going to happen? Think again! Mother Nature will throw you a curveball.

In this episode, Taylor Cox, John Choquette, and Collin Hunt dive deep into some of the most surprising hailstorms that erupted from marginal risks, or even days with no risk at all. From Denver’s costly tennis-ball-sized hail to San Antonio’s rush-hour surprise, discover why storms don’t always stick to the forecast.

You’ll also learn:

🌩️ Why big hailstorms can happen even when risks seem low🌀 How small atmospheric details can trigger major storms📉 The surprising science behind forecasting misses—and hits

Don't miss this exploration of severe weather’s unpredictable nature.

👉 Like, subscribe, and share this podcast with a friend!

What’s the difference between soft and hard hail? And does it actually impact the way you work storms?

In this episode of HailChatter, Meteorologist Taylor Cox and Collin Hunt break down a common question in the restoration industry—what makes hail “soft” or “hard.”

The answer may not be as simple as you think.In this episode, we cover:

❄️ How hail forms—the science behind updrafts, supercooled water, and storm cycles

🛠️ What really determines “soft” vs. “hard” hail—and why it might not be what you expect

🔎 Hail rings & the story it tells—what you can learn by looking inside a hailstone📋 Tips on working any hail storms: Three key strategies to work storms smarter

🐸 Hail with frogs inside?! (Yes, it happens!)

If you work in the restoration industry, chase storms, or just love learning about extreme weather, this episode is packed with insights you won’t want to miss!

Subscribe to HailChatter for new episodes every two weeks!

Like, comment, and share your hailstorm experiences below!