Hail Damage Evaluation

Salas O’Brien provided forensic engineering and forensic meteorology services for a confidential client to determine the thunderstorm date that produced hail damage at the facility. The meteorological analysis included a six-year historical review of potential hail-producing thunderstorms.

The team reviewed Doppler weather radar, National Weather Service (NWS) warnings and statements, and local storm reports to pinpoint the most likely storm date for hail damage to the facility. The investigation revealed two recent severe thunderstorms moved over the property in different directions, one from southwest to northeast and the other from northwest to southeast.

Our team conducted an inspection that determined both storms likely caused hail; however, spatter marks were most significant on the north and west-facing surfaces, with less frequent and small spatters on the south and east-facing surfaces. Site inspection and meteorological analysis revealed that the hail damage was caused by severe thunderstorms moving from northwest to southeast, allowing for an accurate timeline of when the damage was likely to occur.

SERVICES

Forensic Meteorology

COMPLETION YEAR

2023