Automobile owners may worry when hailstorms are in the forecast, but Colorado residents have extra anxiety. Hail damage leads to a significant number of automotive claims annually, and Colorado had the fifth-highest amount of severe hail events in 2019. Knowing why the Centennial State is susceptible to extreme hailstorms will help you prepare and fix the vehicle when it faces damage.

What Causes Hail?

When strong humid winds travel upwards, it collides with dry, cold air in the atmosphere. The moisture in these updrafts freezes in the colder climate and forms hailstones. The tiny balls of ice continue absorbing water in the vortex until gravity brings them crashing to the ground. Generally, the stronger the updraft, the larger the hailstone, and Colorado has many powerful updrafts, due to the mountains in the region.

Why Are Colorado Hailstorms Bad?

Colorado is in a region known as “Hail Alley,” along with Kansas, Nebraska, and other states near the middle of the country. The area is a focal point where warm, moist winds from the Gulf of Mexico crash into cold, dry air from Canada. This airborne commotion is the perfect environment for severe thunderstorms and hail.

Colorado’s high-elevation is another reason for the many hailstorms in the state. The higher ground is closer to the freezing level of the atmosphere, meaning hail has less time to melt than in a state closer to sea level. Damaging hail may not reach large sizes, but the short falling distance means hailstones fall harder and faster.

What Should You Do After Auto Damage?

Tiny hailstones shouldn’t cause severe harm to your car. However, after each storm, carefully inspect it for scratches and dents. Larger hailstones can break windshields or damage the car’s sensors, which is more prominent. If you notice any damage, contact your insurance agent immediately to file a claim.

Experienced repair shops can make your vehicle surface smooth again, but they tend to have a backlist of clients after a severe storm. You should act quickly to avoid an extended waiting period for repairs.

Hail Medic Auto Hail Repair in Denver, CO, is the go-to shop for hail damage in the area. They offer a lifetime warranty on paintless dent repair, and their skilled technicians will handle storm damage repair and dent removal. Visit their website for more information about the repair process. Call (720) 609-2976 to schedule an appointment.