Hail is a form of precipitation that occurs when updrafts in storms carry drops of rain upward into very cold areas of the atmosphere. Then, the drops of rain freeze into balls of ice and descend as hail. Hail can range in size from a sphere-like shape comparable to a pea (about 1/4 inch diameter), all the way to the size of a grapefruit (about 4 & 1/2 inches diameter). The fall speed of hail depends on many factors including, the size of the hailstone, wind conditions, and the degree of melting of the hail. Smaller hail can fall at speeds ranging from 9 to 25 mph, while larger hail can fall at speeds ranging from 44 to 72 mph. Hail causes about $1 billion dollars in damage to property and crops each year.

Damaging winds are considered those exceeding 50-60 mph. Damaging winds are also known as "straight-line" winds to differentiate the damage they cause from that of tornadoes. Generally, straight-line winds are a result of outflow that has been generated by a thunderstorm downdraft. Damage from severe thunderstorm winds account for more than half of the severe reports in over 95% of the states. It is also far more common than damage from tornadoes. There are a variety of classifications of wind that occur in different parts of the country that may or may not include other damaging forces of nature, such as rain - which can be experienced during a hurricane. Wind speeds can exceed over 300 mph.

Hurricanes cause a lot of damage to properties from their extensive rain storms and strong wind combined. Water damage can come from flooding as well, especially in areas that are along the coast or near large lakes. Floods can happen due to heavy rains, when ocean waves come to shore, when snow melts rapidly, or when dams break. Flooding occurs in every U.S. state and is a potential threat any place that receives rain. The official Atlantic hurricane season runs from June through November, but occasionally storms form outside those months. September is the most common month for hurricanes making landfall in the U.S.