Dr. Jeff Masters' WunderBlog

Damages from June 13 hailstorm in Dallas may be $2 billion

Posted by: Dr. Jeff Masters, 4:31 PM GMT on June 17, 2012

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Insured damage from a massive 3-hour hailstorm that pummeled Dallas, Texas on Wednesday, June 13, may reach $2 billion, said the Southwestern Insurance Information Service (SIIS) on Friday. If true, this would be the fourth billion-dollar U.S. weather disaster of 2012. A cluster of three severe thunderstorms dropped hail the size of baseballs over a heavily populated area, damaging thousands of cars, puncturing skylights at a local mall, and shattering the expensive tile roofs of hundreds of homes. It was the second major hailstorm to hit the region this year; an April 3 event cost close to $500 million, and damaged 110 airplanes at the DFW airport. You can see a radar image of the June 13 storm using our wundermap with the "go back in time" feature turned on.

Figure 1. Huge hail splashes into the waters of White Rock Lake in Dallas on June 13, 2012. Image credit: Wunderphotographer CinnamonDreams.

One of the most expensive hailstorms of all-time
The June 13 hailstorm will rank as one of the most expensive of all-time, according to statistics of billion-dollar disasters maintained by NOAA's National Climatic Data Center (NCDC), and a list of damaging hail events maintained at Wikipedia. Wikipedia lists only three hailstorms in U.S. history with damages exceeding $1 billion:

1) The April 10, 2001 St. Louis, Missouri hailstorm. This costliest hailstorm in U.S. history, costing $2+ billion, struck the I-70 corridor of eastern Kansas, across Missouri, into southwestern Illinois.

2) The May 5, 1995 Mayfest Storm in Dallas and Fort Worth, Texas. Severe thunderstorms produced hail the size of softballs, causing $1.1 billion in insured losses, and total damage of $2 billion.

3) The July 11, 1990 hailstorm in Colorado. Softball-sized hail destroyed roofs and cars, causing $625 million in total damage ($1.1 billion in damage adjusted to 2011 dollars.)

Video 1. News coverage of the June 13, 2012 hailstorm in Dallas, Texas, from local TV station News8. The aerial shots of a fog-shrouded golf course covered with ice are quite remarkable.

Six global billion-dollar weather disasters so far in 2012
There have been five global billion-dollar weather disasters as of the end of May, said Aon Benfield in their latest May Catastrophe Recap. Three of these were in the U.S. With the addition of the June 13 Dallas hailstorm, the global total would rise to six and the U.S. total to four. The most expensive weather-related disaster of 2012 has been the March 2 - 3 tornado and severe weather outbreak in the Midwest and Southeast U.S., which killed 41 people and caused $3 billion in damage. The second most expensive was the severe thunderstorms and heavy rains that hit China during late April and early May, bringing flooding, landslides, and damaging hail to the Gansu, Hunan and Jiangxi provinces. Over 143,000 homes were damaged or destroyed, with $2.68 billion in damage. Two other severe weather outbreaks in the U.S. topped the $1 billion mark in damages in 2012: the April 27 - 29 event in the Midwest ($1.5 billion in damage), and an April 2 - 4 severe weather outbreak in Texas that did a tremendous amount of hail damage near Dallas/Ft. Worth ($1 billion.) A fourth severe weather event, April 13 - 15 in the Plains and Midwest, is very close the $1 billion mark ($950 million in damage.) Another weather disasters that might approach the $1 billion mark is the frosts and freezes that decimated Midwest fruit trees after 2012's "summer in March" heat wave. Agricultural damage in Michigan alone has been estimated by the state to be $223.5 million--including $130 million to cherry and apple orchards. The pace and cost of billion-dollar weather disasters in 2012 is well below that of 2011, which had had fourteen billion-dollar weather disasters between January and May (nine in the U.S.) These 2011 disasters cost $73 billion, compared to the $10 billion price tag of 2012's five-billion dollar disasters from January - May.

Super Typhoon Guchol headed towards Tokyo
Super Typhoon Guchol , a powerful Category 4 storm with 150 mph winds, is churning through the Western Pacific towards Japan, and is expected to pass close to Tokyo late Tuesday night local time. As Guchol approaches Japan on Monday and Tuesday morning, ocean temperatures will cool below 26°C and wind shear will increase, which should cause significant weakening of the typhoon. By the time of closest approach to Tokyo, I expect Guchol will most likely be a tropical storm, but could be a Category 1 typhoon.

The Atlantic is quiet
There are no threat areas to discuss in the Atlantic today. Several models are predicting that a tropical disturbance capable of becoming a tropical depression could form in Mexico's Bay of Campeche sometime June 22 - 24.

I'll have a new post late Monday or early Tuesday. Wunderground weather historian Christopher C. Burt has a post on record hailstorms.

Jeff Masters

Bigger in Texas (JWMPER)

Dallas, TX thunderstorm dropped a few big ones today.

Categories: Extreme Weather Severe Weather

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1351. StormTracker2K 7:28 PM GMT on June 18, 2012
Quoting Tropicsweatherpr: Afternoon NWS of Brownsville Discussion: "DIFFERENCE BETWEEN 12Z GFS/CMC AND ECMWF ARISE FRIDAY ONWARD WITH GFS/ECMWF AGREEING MORE ON THE HIGH PRESSURE DOMINATING MOST OF THE CENTRAL PLAINS BLOCKING MOISTURE OVER THE TROPICS AND THE NAM STRETCHING THIS HIGH ACROSS THE NORTHWEST PART OF THE STATE. LEAN TOWARDS GFS WITH A LITTLE MORE DRIER COMPARED TO THE ECMWF AS IT CONTINUES TO BE A LOT MORE WITH POPS. AT THIS TIME THERE IS NO SIGN OF TROPICAL CYCLONE DEVELOPING FOR THE LONG TERM PERIOD." Ridge over TX and one over Bermuda while a weakness developes over the eastern Gulf in between the 2 ridges. Member Since: October 26, 2011 Posts: 0 Comments: 2651

1352. Hurricanes305 7:28 PM GMT on June 18, 2012
Quoting 19N81W: shear is supposed to be dropping but none of the convection is wrapping around the low yet....its just an elongated area of low pressure which is good for the rain totals....its a nice break from the heat...` Low is starting to become more define with a develop circulation which is broad. Member Since: May 25, 2012 Posts: 0 Comments: 746

1353. K8eCane 7:29 PM GMT on June 18, 2012
Models sure did some shifting since this weekend. I wish they would make up my mind Member Since: April 26, 2006 Posts: 5 Comments: 2371

1354. stormpetrol 7:29 PM GMT on June 18, 2012
Quoting TropicalAnalystwx13: Very close to getting a name IMO. Member Since: April 29, 2007 Posts: 0 Comments: 6396

1355. Grothar 7:29 PM GMT on June 18, 2012
Quoting gordydunnot: Weather98 I was just trying to give the man a break as it was a presystem, hence junior. I should have know that comment wouldn't get past this group. Sorry Grothar I tried. LOL. No problema, gordy! Member Since: July 17, 2009 Posts: 56 Comments: 19534

1357. ChaseyChasinStorms 7:30 PM GMT on June 18, 2012
Quoting ChaseyChasinStorms: Good afternoon y'all! :) What the heck? Where did my profile picture go?? Member Since: September 9, 2011 Posts: 0 Comments: 110

1358. HurricaneHunterJoe 7:32 PM GMT on June 18, 2012
Quoting Tropicsweatherpr: Afternoon NWS of Brownsville Discussion: "DIFFERENCE BETWEEN 12Z GFS/CMC AND ECMWF ARISE FRIDAY ONWARD WITH GFS/ECMWF AGREEING MORE ON THE HIGH PRESSURE DOMINATING MOST OF THE CENTRAL PLAINS BLOCKING MOISTURE OVER THE TROPICS AND THE NAM STRETCHING THIS HIGH ACROSS THE NORTHWEST PART OF THE STATE. LEAN TOWARDS GFS WITH A LITTLE MORE DRIER COMPARED TO THE ECMWF AS IT CONTINUES TO BE A LOT MORE WITH POPS. AT THIS TIME THERE IS NO SIGN OF TROPICAL CYCLONE DEVELOPING FOR THE LONG TERM PERIOD." Several Texans reaching for anti-depressants Member Since: September 18, 2010 Posts: 0 Comments: 2690

1359. Hurricanes305 7:34 PM GMT on June 18, 2012
Quoting wunderkidcayman: not going to happen Exactly, now that the highs are going to split it would not make sense for the low to head west into the High over the Central US. Thus forcing the W caribbean disturbance north into the Eastern gulf. Member Since: May 25, 2012 Posts: 0 Comments: 746

1360. midgulfmom 7:36 PM GMT on June 18, 2012
Quoting K8eCane: Models sure did some shifting since this weekend. I wish they would make up my mind Yes....Dance of the hurricane models....LOL Member Since: July 9, 2005 Posts: 2 Comments: 1002

1361. Tazmanian 7:36 PM GMT on June 18, 2012
Quoting TropicalAnalystwx13: TS or STS 95L looks good Member Since: May 21, 2006 Posts: 5088 Comments: 111346

1362. washingtonian115 7:37 PM GMT on June 18, 2012
Quoting NakedSwirl: Still has a ways to go Did you come up with your user name after 92L back in may or Jose?. Member Since: August 14, 2010 Posts: 5 Comments: 10637

1363. StormTracker2K 7:38 PM GMT on June 18, 2012
Quoting HurricaneHunterJoe: Several Texans reaching for anti-depressants Yeah the absence of the Upper Low east of FL is forcing the ridge to split into 2 different highs with one over TX and the other over Bermuda. Member Since: October 26, 2011 Posts: 0 Comments: 2651

1364. hydrus 7:38 PM GMT on June 18, 2012
Quoting StormTracker2K: Monsoonal systems are hard to pin down. We may see nothing but heavy rains across the SE US or we could have a hurricane per the GGEM model. That is the scenario I am the most concerned about. Some areas in the panhandle will flood quickly and have not fully recovered from the recent heavy rain event. This could be serious trouble for some folks. Member Since: September 27, 2007 Posts: 1 Comments: 14297

1365. Tazmanian 7:39 PM GMT on June 18, 2012
this show that 1008mb low going in too MX Member Since: May 21, 2006 Posts: 5088 Comments: 111346

1366. NICycloneChaser 7:39 PM GMT on June 18, 2012
95L: Caribbean AOI: Chris and Debby by the end of the weekend??! 4 storms by the end of June would be pretty remarkable. Member Since: August 10, 2010 Posts: 2 Comments: 1957

1367. WxGeekVA 7:41 PM GMT on June 18, 2012
Convection is weakening, but has expanded in coverage and organization. I think this is due to it becoming separated from the front and transitioning to tropical, similar to what happened with Beryl. Banding is also becoming apparent on the south and east sides of the system as well. Member Since: September 3, 2011 Posts: 13 Comments: 3316

1368. Tazmanian 7:41 PM GMT on June 18, 2012
Quoting NICycloneChaser: 95L: Caribbean AOI: Chris and Debbie by the end of the weekend??! 4 storms by the end of June would be pretty remarkable. well see i think we are well on are well too 21 name storms if we dont get a EL nino later this summer or fall Member Since: May 21, 2006 Posts: 5088 Comments: 111346

1370. nigel20 7:42 PM GMT on June 18, 2012
Quoting NICycloneChaser: 95L: Caribbean AOI: Chris and Debby by the end of the weekend??! 4 storms by the end of June would be pretty remarkable. Agreed. Member Since: November 6, 2010 Posts: 2 Comments: 4538

1371. Tygor 7:42 PM GMT on June 18, 2012
Quoting HurricaneHunterJoe: Several Texans reaching for anti-depressants Nah it's okay, we got 0.02" last night. We're good for the rest of the summer. Member Since: May 6, 2011 Posts: 0 Comments: 128

1372. wunderkidcayman 7:44 PM GMT on June 18, 2012
Quoting Hurricanes305: Exactly, now that the highs are going to split it would not make sense for the low to head west into the High over the Central US. Thus forcing the W caribbean disturbance north into the Eastern gulf. right we are on the same pace good now the low is located somewhere around 15.5N 81.0W Member Since: June 13, 2009 Posts: 2 Comments: 5418

1373. Grothar 7:44 PM GMT on June 18, 2012
Member Since: July 17, 2009 Posts: 56 Comments: 19534

1374. washingtonian115 7:45 PM GMT on June 18, 2012
Quoting Tygor: Nah it's okay, we got 0.02" last night. We're good for the rest of the summer. I was so happy to hear rain outside my window this morning.We haven't been getting as much as we need. Member Since: August 14, 2010 Posts: 5 Comments: 10637

1375. MississippiBoy2 7:45 PM GMT on June 18, 2012
Hey anything going on around Texas coast?I think I see some spin or am I just seeing things?Could be my eyes are playing tricks on me, age might have something to do with it. Member Since: February 22, 2010 Posts: 0 Comments: 60

1376. WunderAlertBot (Admin) 7:45 PM GMT on June 18, 2012
JeffMasters has created a new entry.

1377. DavidHOUTX 7:45 PM GMT on June 18, 2012
Quoting Tygor: Nah it's okay, we got 0.02" last night. We're good for the rest of the summer. Lol. At least we have a sense of humor about it! Member Since: August 18, 2011 Posts: 0 Comments: 292

1378. NICycloneChaser 7:46 PM GMT on June 18, 2012
Quoting Tazmanian: well see i think we are well on are well too 21 name storms if we dont get a EL nino later this summer or fall I can see us getting 14 or 15, due to number inflation caused by the early storms if nothing else, but I'd be pretty shocked to see numbers as high as 21. Member Since: August 10, 2010 Posts: 2 Comments: 1957

1379. Hurricanes305 7:48 PM GMT on June 18, 2012
Quoting wunderkidcayman: right we are on the same pace good now the low is located somewhere around 15.5N 81.0W Ok so that confirms that the low in the GOH is just a mid-level spin. Member Since: May 25, 2012 Posts: 0 Comments: 746

1380. hydrus 7:48 PM GMT on June 18, 2012
48 hours,84 hours.84 hour Surfc Precipitable Water Member Since: September 27, 2007 Posts: 1 Comments: 14297

1381. luvtogolf 7:48 PM GMT on June 18, 2012
Quoting wunderkidcayman: not going to happen Why not? High pressure to the north. It is a common path for June. Member Since: June 12, 2011 Posts: 0 Comments: 367

1382. nofailsafe 8:34 PM GMT on June 18, 2012
Quoting HurricaneHunterJoe: Several Texans reaching for anti-depressants Already there. Member Since: June 18, 2010 Posts: 3 Comments: 830

1383. zillaTX 11:50 PM GMT on June 18, 2012
Local weather says nothing for Texas where rain is concerned. Sure hope he's wrong! Member Since: July 28, 2011 Posts: 0 Comments: 47

1384. MoeWest 12:29 AM GMT on June 19, 2012
The Haitians are in for a wet night. Member Since: September 3, 2011 Posts: 0 Comments: 56

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