Hail radar and ground reports: how to read an alert

For PDR technicians and hail repair teams, the key question is what an alert actually supports. HailSignal separates estimated hail size from confidence in the evidence.

Radar provides an indication

Radar measures storm properties. These can indicate hail, but cannot prove damage to a particular vehicle. A strong radar signal alone is not on-site confirmation.

Repeated radar evidence is still radar

C1 means an initial radar signal; C2 means several consistent radar observations. Repeated estimates do not become independent confirmation that hail reached the ground.

Check independent evidence

C3 means independently supported, for example by a ground report matching the location and time. Its value also depends on the content and precision of that report. C4 indicates on-site confirmation. Neither means every vehicle in the area was damaged.

Before travelling

Review the time, location, estimated size and confidence level together. A projected track estimates future movement; it does not prove hail fell along the entire line. An unconfirmed event is not the same as a disproved event.