“Gorilla” Hail Storm Batters Texas | NESDIS - NOAA
The GOES East satellite, on the evening of April 12, 2021, viewed a supercell thunderstorm bubble up in central Texas, part of several…
www.nesdis.noaa.govHere’s the latest on gorilla hail as of now:
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What it is: "Gorilla hail" is a colloquial term used by meteorologists and weather enthusiasts to describe exceptionally large hailstones, often softball- to baseball-sized, that occur with severe thunderstorms. It’s not a formal meteorological category, but a descriptive label for hail of unusually large size.[4][9]
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Recent notable events: Reports over the past few years have described gorilla hail affecting parts of the central U.S., especially Kansas and Missouri, with storms capable of producing large hail and severe weather, including possible tornado warnings in affected areas. Coverage highlights hail as large as softball-sized in some outbreaks, prompting safety advisories to shelter indoors and avoid windows.[1][2][10][4]
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Safety guidance typically issued: When severe storms with large hail are forecast or ongoing, National Weather Service advisories encourage people to seek sturdy shelter, stay away from windows, and monitor local alerts for potential tornado risks in the same systems.[2][1]
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Context and scope: The term has appeared across various outlets—from wire services to regional news and weather-focused channels—often tied to single-storm events or upcoming threats in the Plains and Midwest corridors. While it captures a real hazard, the terminology is informal and primarily used for emphasis in public-facing weather reports.[5][10][4]
If you’d like, I can pull the most recent, location-specific advisories for Dallas or nearby areas, or summarize the latest official NWS statements for your area. Would you like me to do that?