Why Does Colorado Get So Many Hail Storms?

In Colorado, hail isn't just a spring or summertime phenomenon—it can happen into the fall. In fact, Colorado is one of the most hail-prone places in the country. But why does the Centennial State get hit with so much of this destructive type of weather?

There are a few reasons why Colorado experiences more hailstorms in comparison to other states - the main one being due to the altitude. Because Colorado has such a high average elevation, it's closer to the freezing level in the atmosphere, which allows hail to form more readily. This also means that when hail falls, it doesn't melt all the way before reaching the ground. Hail can fall at any elevation in Colorado.

Furthermore, Colorado's thin, dry air contributes to colder downdrafts that help hailstone formation, and make hail fall faster, too. Having low humidity levels gives a better chance for hail to occur.

June is the most common month for hail in Colorado, but it can fall as early as March and as late as October. The balls of ice that we see during some winter storms is often mistaken as hail, but is actually graupel, a piece of ice that forms in the cloud from a process that is similar to, but different than the process that forms hail.

Colorado experiences an average of 234 hail events per year.

The stretch between Denver and Colorado Springs is one of the “hail-iest” places in the United States. And did you know that the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains and the adjacent high plains is known as the 'hail capital' of North America?

RELATED: How Does Colorado Rank for Hail Damage?

Unfortunately, Colorado ranks top for hail losses per capita, with expected per capita losses of $30 dollars and expected annual damages to buildings and population totaling $151.5 million dollars. The most expensive hailstorm in Colorado's history occurred near the Denver metro area in 2017 and produced $2.3 billion in total damages