NIU Storm Chasers: Researcher Team Helps National Effort to Advance Hail Forecasting
Reaching New Heights in Research
Hail is the most costly and consistently damaging thunderstorm hazard in the United States. But a team at Northern Illinois University (NIU) in Dekalb is helping lead a research study to change that.
Achieving a Generational Leap Forward
A group of 100 scientists, including professors and students from NIU and several other universities, will chase hailstorms next spring with the goal of advancing hail forecasting. The project, dubbed “Ice Chip,” is being federally funded by the National Science Foundation and will cost $11 million. NIU will see about $3.2 million of that money to go out into the storms and do hail research.
Large-Scale Effort, Big Impact
“It will be the world’s largest effort to study hail,” said Dr. Victor Gensini, the lead researcher on the project. “We’re hopeful that even a few really good operating days out in the field is going to make a massive generational leap forward for hail science.”
Tools of the Trade
The team will spend six weeks chasing storms from Texas to North Dakota and anywhere in between. Before the sun comes up, they’ll forecast analyzing data like satellite and radar imagery, surface observations, and weather balloon data to determine if it’s a “good” day for hail storms. Then they’ll drive hours to beat that storm to its location so they can set up shop. To do that, they’ll use tools like hail pads, impact astrometers, Doppler radar, and weather balloons to take measurements and data.
Measuring for Success
At the end of a long day of storm chasing, they’ll bring it all back to the lab. The reason for all of this? Economic impact. Gensini says tornado and wind damage don’t even come close to the cost of damage that hail does across the United States.
Facing the Challenge
“This year alone we’re going to see over $60 billion dollars in insured losses,” Gensini said. “And that doesn’t even account for the damage hails does to agriculture. Gensini says it’s the same outcome every year and if their field research can lead to one good hail forecast avoiding hitting an airport, it could save multiple billions of dollars. Aircraft and vehicles could be moved out of the paths of these storms, and even better design standards for roofs of homes and buildings could be developed.”
A Good Hail Forecast Could Pay Off
Gensini sees the value locally too. A typical severe thunderstorm warning that includes a hail size is generally based on what the radar estimates the hail size to be. And sometimes, that can be pretty off. He says this research could give more accurate hail warnings for what’s headed to Chicago.
Conclusion
The NIU storm chasers are poised to make a significant impact in the field of hail research, with the potential to save billions of dollars and improve the accuracy of hail forecasts. Their research aims to provide a better understanding of hail storms and enable more effective forecasting and preparedness.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How long will the research campaign last?
A: The team will spend six weeks chasing storms from Texas to North Dakota and anywhere in between.
Q: How much will the research campaign cost?
A: The project, dubbed “Ice Chip,” is being federally funded by the National Science Foundation and will cost $11 million.
Q: What tools will the researchers use to collect data?
A: The team will use tools like hail pads, impact astrometers, Doppler radar, and weather balloons to take measurements and data.
Q: What is the ultimate goal of the research?
A: The goal of the research is to provide a better understanding of hail storms and enable more effective forecasting and preparedness.
Q: How will this research benefit the local community?
A: This research could give more accurate hail warnings for what’s headed to Chicago, which would help to improve public safety and reduce damage to properties.
