As climate change fuels increasingly severe weather, hailstorms are becoming a major threat to global food production, and experts are warning that the agricultural sector isn’t prepared.

According to the latest figures from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the U.S. saw 5,373 significant hail events in 2024, a 43 percent rise compared to 2021. 

Image courtesy of KISTERS

States such as Texas (878), Kansas (437), and Nebraska (372) are among the hardest hit. 

With hail damage now costing upwards of $15 billion a year across homes, vehicles, and crops, farmers are being urged to adapt.

One organization tracking these shifts closely is KISTERS, a global environmental data company that specializes in precision weather monitoring. From its network of meteorologists and engineers, KISTERS provides real-time insights into extreme weather patterns (including hail) and helps industries like agriculture, energy, and insurance respond more effectively.

Johan Jaques, Chief Meteorologist at KISTERS, says the surge in hail activity is a clear signal that farmers need to reframe how they think about risk:

“Hail isn’t just a freak event anymore, it’s a structural risk. We’re seeing more events and bigger stones, and that’s a dangerous combination for agriculture. High-value crops like grapes, berries, and leafy greens are particularly vulnerable. A single 10-minute storm can devastate a season’s worth of harvest, leaving growers without income and insurers under pressure.”

KISTERS’ HailSens360 could help farmers respond faster

To address the growing threat, KISTERS has developed HailSens360, a high-precision monitoring system that tracks hail in real time and offers actionable insights.

HailSens360 measures hailstone size, impact force, and storm duration through ground-based sensors, delivering instant alerts and detailed storm reports. Farmers can use this data to protect crops, claim insurance, and plan future mitigation strategies.

Beyond immediate alerts, HailSens360 builds a location-specific risk profile over time. This helps growers identify patterns, decide where to invest in protective infrastructure, and negotiate fairer insurance terms.

“You can’t prevent hail, but you can be ready for it, HailSens360 gives farmers a window of time to act and the data they need afterwards to recover faster,” said Jaques. “We’re entering the age of climate-smart farming. Hyperlocal weather data is going to be as essential as seed or fertilizer, especially if we want to keep food supply stable in a volatile world.”

Source - https://www.agdaily.com