Ping, ping ping. Here’s what it’s like to drive into a big hailstorm in the name of science

A team of about 60 researchers are spending six weeks in the Great Plains chasing hail. It’s a first-of-its-kind giant science project that may eventually help better forecast an underappreciated weather hazard that costs the United States about $10 billion a year in damage to cars, roofs and agriculture. It’s loud, wet and scary as scientists use different tools and a lot of adrenaline to penetrate and measure hail. They also dodge tornadoes, floods and downed powerlines. They’ve already collected hail the size of DVDs, lost a car windshield and suffered an injury.

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