A storm can look ordinary on the forecast map and still feel completely different when it arrives at your front door.
Thunderstorms are a familiar part of late-summer and early-fall weather across parts of the United States. But when hail begins striking rooftops, vehicles, and windows with force, an otherwise routine evening can quickly become a tense experience for families caught in its path.
Recent severe-weather activity has included quarter-size hail around Colorado Springs, where the National Weather Service reported a severe thunderstorm with hail and wind gusts capable of causing damage.
For residents underneath a storm like that, the experience can be startling.
One moment, people may be finishing dinner, driving home, or watching television. Then the sky darkens, thunder rolls closer, and hail begins bouncing across driveways and streets. The sound can be surprisingly intense, especially when ice strikes metal roofs, windows, or parked vehicles.
Drivers may pull over and wait for conditions to improve. Families may move away from windows. Homeowners may begin wondering whether their roof, siding, garden, or car has suffered damage.
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