The featured map presents an analysis of National Weather Service Local Storm Reports (LSRs) of one inch plus diameter hail since 2003. The analysis is a kernel density estimate using a Gaussian kernel and attempts to show the spatial distribution of hail reports. Hail is reported and collected by humans, so it is natural to see urban centers in the state show local maxima for reports. The general pattern is for fewer reports as one travels from southwest to northeastern Iowa. The geography of the Midwest drives the meteorology which favors more instability over the plains. This instability feeds thunderstorm development in the late afternoon hours that tends to produce hail. These thunderstorms then truck it east, congeal and loose their ability to produce hail.

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Tags:   hail   lsr