Why do folks stop on the side of the road in the middle of a hailstorm?

May 27, 2024, 02:18 PM

quote:
Originally posted by bettysnephew:
On a trip to South Dakota some years back, we encountered hail that was like a snowstorm. Pea sized so wasn't damaging but in such quantity that the landscape and road was coated 2 inches thick. Appeared as the ground was covered in diamonds when the sun came out. It was like driving on ball bearings. Fortunately air was warm and the hail melted quickly. I have lived in the plains states all of my 75 years and have never seen anything like this again. Even the semis were pulled over for that storm. Have no idea what the measured rainfall for that would have been but obviously substantial in a short period of time.

Hill City, sorry Hail City as we called it on several occasions used their snow plows to clear the roads.

May 30, 2024, 11:15 AM

eagle0199

I guess I'm one of the ones that always pulls over during a hailstorm (although few and far between here in Louisiana, they still occasionally appear).

My thinking is that a hailstone hitting my windshield at zero MPH, discounting whatever drop velocity is there, is better than my adding anywhere from 40-60 MPH based on my driving speed. The impact would be less, so I go with the "pull over". "Impact" can be taken a couple of different ways, so is that a pun?

May 30, 2024, 02:49 PM

bald1

quote:
Originally posted by Ozarkwoods:
quote:
Originally posted by bettysnephew:
On a trip to South Dakota some years back, we encountered hail that was like a snowstorm. Pea sized so wasn't damaging but in such quantity that the landscape and road was coated 2 inches thick. Appeared as the ground was covered in diamonds when the sun came out. It was like driving on ball bearings. Fortunately air was warm and the hail melted quickly. I have lived in the plains states all of my 75 years and have never seen anything like this again. Even the semis were pulled over for that storm. Have no idea what the measured rainfall for that would have been but obviously substantial in a short period of time.

Hill City, sorry Hail City as we called it on several occasions used their snow plows to clear the roads.

Yup from Rockerville south to Hill City and beyond, this is NOT an uncommon occurrence, even in July.

May 30, 2024, 03:24 PM

sse

a nephew of mine was driving along a highway in PA a few years ago and large hail broke out his windshield. I saw the vehicle after that and it looked like it had chicken pox

May 30, 2024, 06:38 PM

shovelhead

Living in central New Mexico I saw some pretty horrendous hailstorms.

U.S.60 west of Socorro I pulled off into what at the time was the Water Canyon Lodge. At the end of the storm there was probably eight inches of hail on the ground. Between what was falling from the sky as rain and hail and the slippery road surface it wasn’t safe to drive.

-------------------------------------——————
————————--Ignorance is a powerful tool if applied at the right time, even, usually, surpassing knowledge(E.J.Potter, A.K.A. The Michigan Madman)

May 31, 2024, 06:03 AM

bendable

And!
Why do people take shopping carts from the handicapped spots in the parking lots?

Just leave four or five out there.

The handicappers might need them to get into the store.
Or
Perhaps the handicappers are bringing merch back and a shopping cart could be required.

A lot of partially disabled folks can get by with just a shopping cart and not a scooter.

Tink about the next shopper, even if they are not yet there.

May 31, 2024, 11:09 AM

arfmel

Speaking of hailstorms, this took place Wednesday 25 miles from Jerkwater, where we were enjoying 97° and a dry wind:

May 31, 2024, 11:46 AM

V-Tail

quote:
Originally posted by bendable:

Why do people take shopping carts from the handicapped spots in the parking lots?

Just leave four or five out there.

The handicappers might need them to get into the store.

Especially in a hail storm!